硬かたさ

か

た

さ

Meanings

1

Physical or metaphorical hardness; can refer to material properties, consistency, or rigidity. The kanji choice (硬・固・堅) may reflect nuance: 硬 for general hardness, 固 for solidity, 堅 for stiffness/tightness.

このパンは固かたさが

ちょうど

いい

。

This bread has just the right firmness.

金きん属ぞくの硬かたさを測はかる。

Measure the hardness of the metal.

2

noun

honesty; integrity; uprightness

Only when written 堅さ

Metaphorical use referring to a person's character: being principled, honest, or unwavering. Often written 堅さ in this sense.

彼かれの堅かたさは誰だれもが認みとめるところだ。
Everyone acknowledges his integrity.

Usage patterns

〈物もの〉の硬かたさを測はかるto measure the hardness of something
このゴムの硬かたさを測はかる。
We measure the hardness of this rubber.
硬かたさが増ますfor hardness to increase
冷ひえるにつれてチョコレートの硬かたさが増ました。
As it cooled, the chocolate became harder.
表ひょう情じょうの硬かたさstiffness or tension in one's expression
緊きん張ちょうのせいか、彼かれの表ひょう情じょうには硬かたさが見みられた。
Perhaps out of nervousness, his expression showed some stiffness.

Kanji

硬stiff, hard
固harden, set, clot
堅strict, hard, solid

Related words

硬こう度ど sense 1
硬度 is the technical, measurable term for hardness (as in mineral or material science), while 硬さ is the everyday word for the general quality of hardness.

Opposites

柔やわらかさ sense 1
硬さ describes hardness or firmness, while 柔らかさ describes softness or pliability, the direct physical opposite.

Word family

Written forms

硬かたさ
Most common kanji for general hardness/firmness; used in scientific and everyday contexts.
固かたさ
Often used for solidity, firmness of shape, or consistency (e.g., of food, ground).
堅かたさ
Often used for stiffness, rigidity, or tightness (e.g., of a knot, defense).

Etymology

Noun form of the adjective 硬い/固い/堅い (hard, firm, stiff), derived by adding the nominalizing suffix さ to the stem.