鋼: the kanji for steel
鋼 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means steel. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
鋼 is written in 16 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
鋼 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).
コウ (kou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 鉄鋼てっこう · tekkō | iron and steel |
| 鋼鉄こうてつ · kōtetsu | steel |
| 鋼材こうざい · kōzai | steel material |
はがね (hagane)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 鋼はがね · hagane | steel |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- この町は鉄鋼業で栄えた。Kono machi wa tekkōgyō de sakaeta.This town prospered through the steel industry.
- 鋼鉄の扉はとても重い。Kōtetsu no tobira wa totemo omoi.The steel door is very heavy.
- 刀は鋼を打って作る。Katana wa hagane o utte tsukuru.Swords are made by hammering steel.
- 橋の工事に鋼材を運んだ。Hashi no kōji ni kōzai o hakonda.We carried steel materials for the bridge construction.
- 彼は鋼のような意志を持っている。Kare wa hagane no yō na ishi o motte iru.He has a will of steel.
Questions about 鋼
How many strokes does 鋼 have?
鋼 is written in 16 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 鋼?
The on readings are kou (コウ). The kun readings are hagane (はがね).
What JLPT level is 鋼?
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
Science, materials and colors
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 鋼
- 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.