硬い
Meanings, readings, and example sentences for the Japanese word 硬い
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.
Kanji in this Word
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
固
8 strokes
Frequency: 750
JLPT N2
Grade 4
Meanings
harden
set
clot
curdle
Readings
On
— Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds
コ
Kun
— Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words
かた.める
かた.まる
かた.まり
かた.い
堅
12 strokes
Frequency: 1049
JLPT N1
Grade 8
Meanings
strict
hard
solid
tough
tight
reliable
Readings
On
— Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds
ケン
Kun
— Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words
かた.い
-がた.い
Nanori
— Specialized readings used in names
きん
緊
15 strokes
Frequency: 677
JLPT N1
Grade 8
Meanings
tense
solid
hard
reliable
tight
Readings
On
— Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds
キン
Kun
— Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words
し.める
し.まる
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