How to Write 固 (harden, set, clot, curdle) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 固 (“harden, set, clot, curdle”), indexed under the 囗 (くにがまえ (enclosure)) radical. Practice 固 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 固める (かためる (katameru) — harden), 固まる (かたまる (katamaru) — harden).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (固)
Primary Radical (部首): 囗 — くにがまえ (enclosure)
Radical Position: Enclosure (Kamae / 構) (構 (Kamae))
Semantic Theme: Enclosed borders, walls, territory, and countries
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コ) when 固 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かた.める, かた.まる, かた.まり, かた.い) when 固 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 固 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 囗 (くにがまえ (enclosure)) radical (Enclosure (Kamae / 構) position). Establish the 囗 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
囗 (meaning) + 古 (sound コ)
Derived from the meaning radical 囗 (くにがまえ (enclosure)) and the phonetic component 古, giving the on-reading コ.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 固
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 固 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 固 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 固 ("harden, set, clot, curdle") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 囗 (くにがまえ (enclosure)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 固 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 囗 (くにがまえ (enclosure)) radical (Enclosure (Kamae / 構) position). Establish the 囗 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 固?
For 固 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is コ and the Kunyomi is かた.める, かた.まる, かた.まり, かた.い. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コ) when 固 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かた.める, かた.まる, かた.まり, かた.い) when 固 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 固 includes 固める (かためる (katameru) — harden), 固まる (かたまる (katamaru) — harden).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 固 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 固 (harden, set, clot, curdle), start with the 囗 (くにがまえ (enclosure)) in the Enclosure (Kamae / 構) (構 (Kamae)) position and follow standard Japanese Hitsujun (筆順) principles: top to bottom (上から下) and left to right (左から右). Practice 固 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N2 Characters to Practice Next
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