健: the kanji for healthy; strong
健 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means healthy; strong. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
健 is written in 11 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
健 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 4 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ケン (ken)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 健康けんこう · kenkō | health |
| 保健室ほけんしつ · hokenshitsu | school nurse's office |
| 健全けんぜん · kenzen | sound; wholesome |
すこやか (sukoyaka)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 健やかすこやか · sukoyaka | healthy; sound |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 健康のために毎日歩いている。Kenkō no tame ni mainichi aruite iru.I walk every day for my health.
- 子どもの健やかな成長を願う。Kodomo no sukoyaka na seichō o negau.We hope for the healthy growth of our children.
- 気分が悪くなって保健室で休んだ。Kibun ga waruku natte hokenshitsu de yasunda.I felt sick and rested in the nurse's office.
- 健全な生活を心がけている。Kenzen na seikatsu o kokorogakete iru.I try to live a healthy life.
- 祖母は年をとっても健康だ。Sobo wa toshi o totte mo kenkō da.My grandmother is still healthy in her old age.
Questions about 健
How many strokes does 健 have?
健 is written in 11 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 健?
The on readings are ken (ケン). The kun readings are sukoyaka (すこやか).
What JLPT level is 健?
N1. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N1 is designed to match the former Level 1.
More JLPT N1 kanji
Body and health
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 健
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.