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Kotomora

健

healthy, health, strength, persistence

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · grade 4FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes11

Readings

On'yomi

  • ケン

Kun'yomi

  • すこ.やか

Nanori

  • かつ
  • たけ
  • たけし
  • たて

Meaning

健 centers on robust well-being: being healthy, having physical strength, and the persistence that comes from that vitality.

Most common words using 健

20 of 191
  • 健康けんこう
    N4

    health

  • 保健ほけん
    N2

    preservation of health; hygiene; sanitation

  • 健全けんぜん
    N1

    healthy; sound; wholesome

  • 保健所ほけんじょ
    N2

    health care center; health care centre

  • 健在けんざい
    N1

    in good health; alive and well; going strong

  • 健闘けんとう
    N1

    fighting bravely; strenuous efforts

  • 健やかすこやか
    N2

    vigorous; healthy; sound

  • 健常けんじょう

    non-disabled; having no physical or mental disability; able-bodied

  • 穏健おんけん
    N1

    moderate (view, politics, etc.); temperate; sensible; sober; non-radical

  • 不健康ふけんこう

    poor health; ill health; unhealthy

  • 健気けなげ
    N1

    admirable; commendable; praiseworthy; laudable; brave; heroic; noble; courageous

  • 健児けんじ

    stalwart youth

  • 不健全ふけんぜん

    morbid; unhealthful; insalubrious

  • 剛健ごうけん

    vigour; vigor; virility; health; sturdiness

  • 頑健がんけん

    robust; fit and healthy; strong; sturdy

  • 健保けんぽ

    health insurance

  • 健忘症けんぼうしょう

    amnesia; loss of memory

  • 健忘けんぼう

    forgetfulness

  • 強健きょうけん

    robust (health); strong (constitution); sturdy

  • 健脚けんきゃく

    good walker

Explore all words using 健 →

Study

Etymology

健 combines 亻 (person) with 建, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of standing firmly, suggesting a person in strong, healthy condition.

Meaning mnemonic

A person 亻 standing beside 建 (build) suggests someone built solidly: healthy, strong, and persistent.

Reading mnemonic

For ケン, picture a healthy person named Ken who stays strong and persistent: Ken -> ケン.