強
strong
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
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.