Readings: キョウ, ゴウ (Onyomi), つよ.い, つよ.まる, つよ.める, つよ-, -づよ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Strong, force, strengthen
The character 強 is composed of the radical 弓 (ゆみ), meaning “bow,” combined with other components suggesting tension or the strength needed to string a bow. Historically, it depicted a bow with a silkworm, symbolizing the strong, resilient silk used for bowstrings.
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 強 is written in 11 strokes. Start with the left radical 弓 (bow). Write the vertical stroke, then the horizontal-hook, and finally the two short diagonal strokes. Then, write the right part, starting with the two horizontal strokes, followed by the vertical stroke that crosses them, and ending with the final three strokes at the bottom.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 弓 (ゆみ) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 11 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | 2 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- キョウ (Kyou)
- ゴウ (Gou)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- つよ.い (tsuyo.i)
- つよ.まる (tsuyo.maru)
- つよ.める (tsuyo.meru)
- つよ- (tsuyo-)
- -づよ (-zuyo)
Common Words Using 強
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 強化 | きょうか | strengthen, reinforce |
| 強調 | きょうちょう | emphasis, highlight |
| 強力 | きょうりょく | powerful, strong |
| 強行 | きょうこう | forceful action, push through |
| 最強 | さいきょう | strongest, most powerful |
| 強大 | きょうだい | mighty, powerful |
| 強風 | きょうふう | strong wind |
| 強制 | きょうせい | compulsion, enforcement |
| 強盗 | ごうとう | robber, robbery |
| 強敵 | きょうてき | strong enemy/rival |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 強い | つよい | strong, powerful |
| 強まる | つよまる | to get strong, to intensify |
| 強める | つよめる | to strengthen, to intensify |
| 強気 | つよき | strong-minded, bullish |
| 強み | つよみ | strength, strong point |
| 強さ | つよさ | strength, intensity |
| 強がり | つよがり | bluffing, putting on a brave front |
| 力強い | ちからづよい | powerful, reassuring |
| 強いて | しいて | by force, against one’s will |
| 根強い | ねづよい | firmly rooted, deep-seated |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼は強いです。
Kana: かれは つよい です。
Romaji: Kare wa tsuyoi desu.
English: He is strong.
Japanese: 風が強くなりました。
Kana: かぜが つよく なりました。
Romaji: Kaze ga tsuyoku narimashita.
English: The wind became strong.
Japanese: この薬は体を強めます。
Kana: この くすりは からだを つよめます。
Romaji: Kono kusuri wa karada o tsuyomemasu.
English: This medicine strengthens the body.
Japanese: 強調したい点があります。
Kana: きょうちょうしたい てんが あります。
Romaji: Kyouchou shitai ten ga arimasu.
English: There is a point I want to emphasize.
Japanese: 彼は強い味方です。
Kana: かれは つよい みかた です。
Romaji: Kare wa tsuyoi mikata desu.
English: He is a strong ally.
Japanese: 強い雨が降っています。
Kana: つよい あめが ふって います。
Romaji: Tsuyoi ame ga futte imasu.
English: It’s raining heavily.
Japanese: もっと強く言ってください。
Kana: もっと つよく いって ください。
Romaji: Motto tsuyoku itte kudasai.
English: Please say it more strongly.
Japanese: このチームはとても強い。
Kana: この チームは とても つよい。
Romaji: Kono chiimu wa totemo tsuyoi.
English: This team is very strong.
Japanese: 彼は精神的に強い人だ。
Kana: かれは せいしんてきに つよい ひとだ。
Romaji: Kare wa seishinteki ni tsuyoi hito da.
English: He is a mentally strong person.
Japanese: 強制はできません。
Kana: きょうせいは できません。
Romaji: Kyousei wa dekimasen.
English: Compulsion is not possible.
Related Grammar & kanji list
Expand your study with grammar and kanji lists for other JLPT levels:
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.