強 (Strength) - Meaning and history | Japanese Kanji

The kanji 強 means strong, powerful, mighty, intense and as a verb strengthen, gain strength.

In this post learn more about the meaning of 強, its origin, and how it is used through real example sentences.

Origin of the kanji 強

弘 represents the bow without its string, while the 虫 indicates the silkworm thread tegusu, strong enough to be used as a fishing line. From this characteristic the kanji has taken on the meaning of strong and powerful.

What does kanji mean 強

強 is linked to concepts of strength, robustness, solidity and as an adjective it is translated:

• strong

• powerful

• vigorous

• solid

It also represents the verbs strengthen, invigorate.

Kanji readings 強

Let's now see the various On and Kun readings that the kanji 強 assumes

Kun readings of the kanji 強 🇯🇵

つよ

It is one of the first adjectives learned during a Japanese language course. It is an adjective in い with the meaning of strong.

• 強(つよ)い風(かぜ) a strong wind

• 強(つよ)い男(だん)性(せい) a strong man

In the kitchen when preparing a dish we sometimes have to cook on high heat 強(つよ)火(び).

-づよ

When we combine two terms according to the type of consonant, the deaf sound becomes voiced: つ becomes づ.

• 気(き)強(づよ)い is an adjective that describes a person of strong character

• 力(ちから)強(づよ)い refers to a physically strong person, vigorous

つよ.まる

This reading represents the intransitive verb intensify, become strong.

つよ.める

つよめる is the transitive verb and means to strengthen, fortify, to reinvigorate something or someone.

し.いる

しいる translates another nuance concerning the use of force and represents the verb to force someone to do something.

こわ.い

This reading recalls the meaning of hard, bristly, bristling:

• 強(こわ)飯(めし) glutinous rice cooked with vegetables or meat

• 強(こわ)い 頬(ほお)髯(ひげ) a bristly beard

• 強(こわ)意(い)見(けん) is a reproach, a stern admonition, contains the word 意(い)見(けん) which means opinion, point of view

On readings of the kanji 強 🇨🇳

きょう

• 強(きょう)力(りょく) also reads ごうりき and is the strength, the power, the vigor

• 強(きょう)制(せい) noun meaning coercion, constriction

• 強(きょう)制(せい)的(てき)な is the adjective coercive

• 強(きょう)制(せい)する is instead the verb force someone to do something

勉(べん)強(きょう) study, learning

ごう

• 強(ごう)情(じょう)な describes a stubborn person

• 強(ごう)盗(とう) is the noun for theft, robbery