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Kotomora

剛

sturdy, strength

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes10

Readings

On'yomi

  • ゴウ

Kun'yomi

—

Nanori

  • かた
  • こう
  • ご
  • たか

Meaning

剛 centers on physical toughness and resilience: something sturdy, strong, and unyielding.

Most common words using 剛

20 of 66
  • 剛ごう

    strength; toughness; bravery; boldness

  • 剛性ごうせい

    stiffness; rigidity

  • 剛毛ごうもう

    bristle; seta; stiff hair; coarse hair

  • 剛健ごうけん

    vigour; vigor; virility; health; sturdiness

  • 剛体ごうたい

    rigid body

  • 金剛力士こんごうりきし

    Deva king (guardian god at a temple gate, holding a vajra); Vajrapani

  • 剛速球ごうそっきゅう

    blazing fastball

  • 剛毅ごうき

    fortitude; firmness of character; sturdiness; inner strength; hardihood

  • 金剛こんごう

    vajra (indestructible substance); diamond; adamantine

  • せん断剛性せんだんごうせい

    shear modulus

  • 内剛ないごう

    tough at heart

  • 内剛外柔ないごうがいじゅう

    gentle on the outside but tough on the inside; an iron hand in a velvet glove

  • 内柔外剛ないじゅうがいごう

    tough on the outside but soft at heart

  • 冷剛れいごう

    chilling (steel)

  • 剛と柔ごうとじゅう

    hardness and softness

  • 剛の者ごうのもの

    very strong person; brave warrior; veteran

  • 剛体力学ごうたいりきがく

    rigid body dynamics

  • 剛勇ごうゆう

    bravery; prowess

  • 剛勇無比ごうゆうむひ

    unparalleled for valor; unmatched for bravery

  • 剛強ごうきょう

    strength; firmness

Explore all words using 剛 →

Study

Etymology

剛 combines 岡 (a hill or ridge) with 刂 (knife), suggesting something as hard and unyielding as a ridge that can cut. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the components likely reinforce the idea of strength and toughness.

Meaning mnemonic

A sturdy hill (岡) stands firm while a knife (刂) tries to cut it. The hill's strength resists the blade, showing toughness and resilience.

Reading mnemonic

For ゴウ, imagine a strong golem (ゴウ) made of sturdy rock, standing like an unyielding hill. The golem's name cues ゴウ while its body embodies strength.