The kanji 固 connects firmness with things that are fixed or become solid. Learn its readings inside complete words.

The idea

固 has 8 strokes; use the linked diagram for their order. 固い is かたい, 固定 is こてい, and 固まる is かたまる. The reading changes with the word.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
固いかたいWe made a firm promise.
固定こていThe shelf is fixed to the wall.
固まるかたまるThe jelly has set in the refrigerator.

Examples

  • 固かたい約束やくそくをしました。We made a firm promise.
  • 棚たなは壁かべに固定こていされています。The shelf is fixed to the wall.
  • ゼリーが冷蔵庫れいぞうこで固かたまりました。The jelly has set in the refrigerator.
  • ロープをしっかり固定こていしてください。Please fasten the rope firmly.
  • 会議かいぎの日ひは固定こていです。The meeting date is fixed.
  • 雨あめの後あと、地面じめんが固かたまりました。The ground became firm after the rain.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

固い often describes something firm or steadfast. 硬い is commonly used for physically hard material; the spellings can overlap, so learn the expression in context.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 固い in hiragana.

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    かたい

    固い is かたい: the promise is firm. The ending い belongs to the word.

  2. Write the reading of 固定 in hiragana.

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    こてい

    固定 is こてい: the shelf is fixed to the wall. Learn the compound as a whole.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿まる（かたまる）［固／国］.

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    固

    固 completes 固まる, かたまる, meaning to become solid.

Use it today

Write 固 following the diagram, then cover the table and read 固定 and 固まる. Make a sentence about something firmly fixed.