堅

堅 — strict, hard, solid

Learn the correct stroke order for 堅 (strict), a 12-stroke kanji.

JLPT N1Secondary school12 strokes

Stroke Order

Stroke 0 / 12

On'yomi (音読み)ケンken

Kun'yomi (訓読み)かた.いkatai、-がた.いgatai

Strokes12

Radical土

Frequency#1049

Meaningsstrict, hard, solid, tough, tight, reliable

Step-by-Step Diagram

Try Writing It

Practice writing each stroke in the correct order and direction. Start from the green dot.

Draw stroke 1 of 12 — start from the green dot

Common Words

堅固けんごsolid; strong; firmna-adjective

堅持けんじadhering to (a view, policy, etc.); sticking to; holding fast tonoun

堅調けんちょうfirm (market); bullishna-adjective

中堅ちゅうけんnucleus; backbone; mainstaynoun

堅実けんじつsteady; sound; stablena-adjective

手堅いてがたいsound; sure; safei-adjective

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 堅 (strict) is part of the secondary school kanji set and appears at JLPT N1 level. It has 12 strokes with radical 土.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 堅 is #1049, making it a moderately common kanji.

Example Words in Context

堅固けんご — solid; strong; firm

堅持けんじ — adhering to (a view, policy, etc.); sticking to; holding fast to

堅調けんちょう — firm (market); bullish

Practice Sheet

Trace then write on your own. Print this row as a PDF practice sheet.

Related Kanji

Same radical (土)

土soil 圧pressure 地ground 在exist 均level 坂slope 坊boy 坑pit

Same reading

検examination 憲constitution 健healthy 献offering 遣dispatch 懸state of suspension 勧persuade 兼concurrently

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 堅 have?

The kanji 堅 (strict) has 12 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 堅?

堅 follows the standard Japanese stroke order as taught in schools. Use the step-by-step diagram or the "Try Writing" tool above to practice each stroke in sequence.

What does 堅 mean?

堅 means: strict, hard, solid, tough, tight, reliable. On'yomi readings: ケン. Kun'yomi readings: かた.い, -がた.い.

What JLPT level is 堅?

堅 is a JLPT N1 kanji. This is an advanced kanji.