Quick answer
険 is the kanji for "Steep". Its reading is けわ.しい (kewashii). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.
Meaning
Steep
Also : Precipitous · Impregnable position
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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
11 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 険 represents 'PRECIPITOUS'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of precipitous.
On-reading: けん — remember this sound by associating it with precipitous. Kun-reading: けわ.しい.
Example Sentences
険しい山道を登りました。
けわしいやまみちをのぼりました。
I climbed a steep mountain path.
険しい山道を慎重に歩きました。
けわしいやまみちをしんちょうにあるきました。
I carefully walked along the steep mountain path.
Vocabulary using 険
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jun 11, 2026
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