Skip to content
Kotomora

強

strong

JLPTN4StatusJōyō · grade 2FrequencyTop 200Strokes11

Readings

On'yomi

  • キョウ
  • ゴウ

Kun'yomi

  • つよ.い
  • つよ.まる
  • つよ.める
  • し.いる
  • こわ.い

Nanori

  • すね

Meaning

強 centers on strength in a broad sense: physical power, intensity, or forcefulness. The given meaning 'strong' covers this core idea.

Most common words using 強

24 of 406
  • 強いつよい
    N5

    strong; potent; competent; domineering; tough

  • 勉強べんきょう
    N5

    study

  • 強化きょうか
    N2

    strengthening; intensifying; reinforcement; enhancement; solidification

  • 最強さいきょう
    N1

    strongest

  • 強制きょうせい
    N1

    compulsion; coercion; forcing (to do); enforcement

  • 強力きょうりょく
    N3

    powerful; strong

  • 強調きょうちょう
    N3

    emphasis; stress; highlighting; underlining; underscoring

  • 強烈きょうれつ
    N1

    strong; intense; severe

  • 強盗ごうとう
    N3

    robber; mugger

  • 強引ごういん
    N2

    overbearing; coercive; pushy; forcible; high-handed

  • 強度きょうど

    strength; intensity

  • 強要きょうよう
    N1

    coercion; extortion; compulsion; force

  • 力強いちからづよい
    N2

    powerful; strong; forceful; vigorous

  • 増強ぞうきょう
    N1

    reinforcement; augmentation; strengthening; increase; buildup

  • 補強ほきょう
    N1

    reinforcement; strengthening

  • 強行きょうこう
    N1

    forcing (e.g. a vote); carrying out (forcibly); pushing ahead (with); enforcement

  • 強大きょうだい

    mighty; powerful

  • 強風きょうふう
    N2

    strong wind; high wind; moderate gale

  • 強みつよみ
    N2

    forte; strong point

  • 強まるつよまる
    N2

    to get strong; to gain strength

  • 強固きょうこ

    firm; strong; solid; stable

  • 強気つよき
    N2

    confident; assured; self-assured; firm; strong; cocksure

  • 心強いこころづよい
    N2

    heartening; reassuring

  • 強奪ごうだつ

    robbery; pillage; seizure; hijacking; plunder; extortion

Explore all words using 強 →

Study

Etymology

強 is a phono-semantic compound. The left side 弓 (bow) suggests strength or tension, while the right side 虽 (originally 彊) likely contributed the sound. The modern form is simplified, with 虽 replacing the older phonetic component.

Meaning mnemonic

A bow (弓) requires strength to draw. The right side looks like a strong insect (虫) with a private part (厶), reinforcing the idea of hidden power. Together, 強 means strong.

Reading mnemonic

For キョウ, imagine a strong person in Kyoto (京都, きょうと) drawing a giant bow: Kyoto -> キョウ, and the bow shows their strength.