固: the kanji for hard; solid; firm
固 is a JLPT N2 kanji that means hard; solid; firm. Below are its readings, 7 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
固 is written in 8 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
固 has 4 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 6 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
コ (ko)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 固定こてい · kotei | fixing; fixed |
| 頑固がんこ · ganko | stubborn |
| 固体こたい · kotai | solid |
かたい (katai)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 固いかたい · katai | hard; firm |
かためる (katameru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 固めるかためる · katameru | to harden; to solidify |
かたまる (katamaru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 固まるかたまる · katamaru | to harden; to set |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 固, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 固唾かたず · katazu | breath held (in suspense) |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 父は頑固で意見を変えない。Chichi wa ganko de iken o kaenai.My father is stubborn and won't change his mind.
- 本棚を壁に固定した。Hondana o kabe ni kotei shita.I fixed the bookshelf to the wall.
- 二人は固い握手をした。Futari wa katai akushu o shita.The two shook hands firmly.
- ゼリーが冷蔵庫で固まった。Zerī ga reizōko de katamatta.The jelly set in the refrigerator.
- みんな固唾をのんで結果を待った。Minna katazu o nonde kekka o matta.Everyone waited for the result with bated breath.
Questions about 固
How many strokes does 固 have?
固 is written in 8 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 固?
The on readings are ko (コ). The kun readings are katameru (かためる), katamaru (かたまる), katai (かたい).
What JLPT level is 固?
N2. 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 N2 is designed to match the former Level 2.
More JLPT N2 kanji
Qualities and conditions
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 固
- 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.