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硬
硬
12 strokes
Frequency: 1101
JLPT N2
Grade 8

Meanings

stiff
hard

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds
コウ
Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words
かた.い

Common Words

硬い
固い
堅い
かたい
緊い
～い Adj.
Freq #1874
1

Esp. 固い and 堅い for wood, 硬い for metal and stone

hard; solid; tough

Examples
卵は硬くゆでてください。
Boil the eggs hard.
2

stiff; tight; wooden; unpolished (e.g. writing)

Examples
このふたは固くて取れないよ。
This lid is too tight for me to open.
3

strong; firm (not viscous or easily moved)

Examples
その機械の骨組みは堅くなければならない。
The frame of the machine should be rigid.
4

safe; steady; honest; steadfast

5

obstinate; stubborn

6

bookish; formal; stuffy

Examples
固いこと言うなよ。
You don't have to be so formal.
硬直
こうちょく
～する Verb
Noun
Intransitive
Freq #4331
1

stiffening; rigidity; rigor; stiffness; ossification; petrification

Examples
壁のまわりのバレリーナ達は筋肉が硬直しないように脚と足先を伸ばしています。
The ballerinas around the walls are stretching their legs and feet so their muscles will not become stiff.
こわばる
強張る
Godan verb
Intransitive
Usually kana
Freq #8244
1

to stiffen; to become stiff; to harden

硬質
こうしつ
Noun
～の Adj.
Freq #15058
1

hardness; stiffness

硬貨
こうか
Noun
Freq #17645
1

coin

Examples
これらの硬貨はほとんど価値がない。
These coins are of little value.
2

hard currency

硬度
こうど
Noun
Freq #18864
1

hardness; solidity

Examples
ダイヤモンドの硬度は１０である。
The hardness of diamond is 10.
硬
こう
Noun
Freq #19873
1

hardness

強硬
きょうこう
～な Adj.
Noun
Freq #20358
1

firm; strong; unbending; unyielding; uncompromising; stubborn; tough; hard-line

Examples
大統領は強硬路線をとった。
The President took a hard line.
硬化
こうか
～する Verb
Noun
Intransitive
Freq #21324
1

hardening; vulcanization; vulcanisation; sclerosis; curing

2

hardening (of attitude, stance, etc.); stiffening; toughening

3

Finance

upturn (in the market); firming up

固め
硬め
堅め
固目
硬目
堅目
かため
～な Adj.
Noun
～の Adj.
Freq #29461
1

somewhat hard; somewhat firm; fairly hard; on the hard side

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