Word details
硬い
Meanings, readings, and example sentences for the Japanese word 硬い.
Dictionary
Entry
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.
Character notes
Kanji in this Word
硬
stiff, hard
12 strokesFrequency 1,101JLPT N2Grade 8
On
コウ
Kun
かた.い
固
harden, set, clot, curdle
8 strokesFrequency 750JLPT N2Grade 4
On
コ
Kun
かた.めるかた.まるかた.まりかた.い
堅
strict, hard, solid, tough, tight, reliable
12 strokesFrequency 1,049JLPT N1Grade 8
On
ケン
Kun
かた.い-がた.い
Nanori
きん
緊
tense, solid, hard, reliable, tight
15 strokesFrequency 677JLPT N1Grade 8
On
キン
Kun
し.めるし.まる
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