健
healthy, health, strength, persistence
Readings
On'yomi
- ケン
Kun'yomi
- すこ.やか
Nanori
- かつ
- たけ
- たけし
- たて
- とし
- やす
- やすし
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
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.