KanjiGami
Remembering Kanji Made Easy.
100

Hard, Stiff

かた.い

JLPT N2

Interesting Fact

In Japan, eggs are often described as 半熟 (soft-boiled) or 固ゆで (hard-boiled). The kanji 硬 is also widely used in computing terms such as ハードディスク (hard disk) and 硬貨 (coins).

Memory Trick

Imagine trying to bite into a rock. It's so hard that your teeth can't leave a mark. That solid feeling helps you remember 硬 means 'hard' or 'stiff.'

Readings

Onyomi: コウ (kou)

Kunyomi: かた.い

Example Words

硬い
かたい (katai)
Hard
硬貨
こうか (kouka)
Coin
硬直
こうちょく (kouchoku)
Stiffness
硬化
こうか (kouka)
Hardening

Example Sentence

この パン は 少し 硬いです。

この パン は すこし かたいです。

kono pan wa sukoshi katai desu

This bread is a little hard.

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