Quick answer
硬 is the kanji for "Hard". A common reading is かた.い (katai). You can also practice writing it on this page.
Meaning
Hard
Also : Stiff · Rigid
Learn 硬 with SRS
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
12 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 硬 represents 'STIFF'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of stiff.
On-reading: こう — sounds like 'ko' in 'coat'. Kun-reading: かた.い.
Example Sentences
硬い姿勢を崩さずに、自分の意見を主張しました。
かたいしせいをくずさずに、じぶんのいけんをしゅちょうしました。
Without breaking my firm stance, I asserted my opinion.
硬直した考え方では、変化に対応できません。
こうちょくしたかんがえかたでは、へんかにたいおうできません。
With rigid thinking, you cannot respond to change.
Vocabulary using 硬
Grammar to study at this level
- [Noun] + に伴い～に伴い (ni tomonai) - Along with / In accordance with
- [Noun] + をはじめ～をはじめ (wo hajime) - Starting with / Including
- [Noun] + に応じて～に応じて (ni oujite) - According to / In response to
- [Noun] + から + [Noun] + にかけて～にかけて (ni kakete) - From...to / In the area of
- [Noun] + に限り～に限り (ni kagiri) - Limited to / Only
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
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