堅: the kanji for hard; firm
堅 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means hard; firm. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
堅 is written in 12 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
堅 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 |
|---|---|
| 堅実けんじつ · kenjitsu | steady; reliable |
| 中堅ちゅうけん · chūken | mainstay; mid-level |
| 堅固けんご · kengo | solid; strong |
かたい (katai)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 堅いかたい · katai | hard; firm; strict |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 彼は口が堅いので信頼できる。Kare wa kuchi ga katai node shinrai dekiru.He can keep a secret, so I trust him.
- 堅実に貯金を続けている。Kenjitsu ni chokin o tsuzukete iru.I keep saving steadily.
- 彼女は会社の中堅社員だ。Kanojo wa kaisha no chūken shain da.She is a mid-level employee at the company.
- 堅い話はこれくらいにしよう。Katai hanashi wa kore kurai ni shiyō.Let's leave the serious talk at that.
- 城は堅固な石垣に守られていた。Shiro wa kengo na ishigaki ni mamorarete ita.The castle was protected by solid stone walls.
Questions about 堅
How many strokes does 堅 have?
堅 is written in 12 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 堅?
The on readings are ken (ケン). The kun readings are katai (かたい).
What JLPT level is 堅?
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
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 堅
- 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.