固(かた)い

かたい
i-adjective
firm, solid, tight; stiff, rigid; strict
1. firm, solid, tight, secure
Firmly held together or fastened, not easily moved, loosened, or broken apart. Used for physical tightness (lids, knots, handshakes) and abstract firmness (resolve, bonds).
ふたが固(かた)くて開(あ)かない。
The lid is so tight that it won't open.
彼(かれ)の決意(けつい)は固(かた)い。
His resolve is firm.
二人(ふたり)は固(かた)い握手(あくしゅ)を交(か)わして別(わか)れた。
The two exchanged a firm handshake and parted ways.
2. stiff, formal, rigid, uptight
Overly formal, tense, or inflexible in manner or thinking. Used to describe people, writing styles, or atmospheres that lack ease or flexibility.
そんなに固(かた)いことを言(い)うな。
Don't be so uptight about it.
彼(かれ)は頭(あたま)が固(かた)くて新(あたら)しいやり方(かた)を受(う)け入(い)れない。
He's rigid in his thinking and won't accept new approaches.
初対面(しょたいめん)で緊張(きんちょう)して表情(ひょうじょう)が固(かた)くなってしまった。
I got nervous meeting them for the first time and my expression became stiff.

USAGE:
Japanese has three かたい kanji: 固(かた)い (firm, tight, unyielding), 硬(かた)い (physically hard, rigid), and 堅(かた)い (solid, reliable, steady). In practice these overlap significantly and are often written in kana. 固(かた)い is the most versatile, covering both physical firmness and figurative stiffness.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 固(かた)い決意(けつい): firm resolve
  • 固(かた)い約束(やくそく): firm promise
  • 固(かた)い握手(あくしゅ): firm handshake
  • 固(かた)い絆(きずな): strong bond
  • 頭(あたま)が固(かた)い: rigid in thinking, stubborn
  • 固(かた)いことを言(い)う: to be strict/uptight about rules
  • 表情(ひょうじょう)が固(かた)い: to have a stiff expression

Related Words

Contrast: かたい
general
Added 2026.2.20 13:53
12000/12090_katai