Readings: ケン (Onyomi), すこ-やか (Kunyomi)
Meaning: healthy, strength, health
The kanji 健 combines the radical 人 (person) and the component 建 (to build, establish). Together, it suggests a person who is well-built, strong, and in good health.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 健 has 11 strokes. It starts with the 人 (ninben) radical on the left. The right side begins with a horizontal stroke, followed by a vertical, then another horizontal and vertical strokes to form the top part of 建. The bottom part involves a horizontal, a vertical with a hook, and a final horizontal stroke.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 人 (にんべん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 11 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | 4 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ケン (Ken)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- すこやか (Sukoyaka)
Common Words Using 健
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 健康 | けんこう | health, healthy |
| 健全 | けんぜん | sound, wholesome, healthy |
| 保健 | ほけん | health preservation, hygiene |
| 健闘 | けんとう | fighting bravely, strenuous effort |
| 健在 | けんざい | in good health, alive and well |
| 健脚 | けんきゃく | strong legs, good walker |
| 健児 | けんじ | sturdy child, healthy youth |
| 健忘症 | けんぼうしょう | amnesia, forgetfulness |
| 健診 | けんしん | health check-up (abbreviation of 健康診断) |
| 強健 | きょうけん | robust, sturdy, strong and healthy |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 健やか | すこやか | healthy, vigorous, robust |
| 健やかなる | すこやかなる | (literary) being healthy |
| 健やかに | すこやかに | healthily, vigorously |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 健康のために毎日運動しています。
Kana: けんこうのためにまいにちうんどうしています。
Romaji: Kenkō no tame ni mainichi undō shiteimasu.
English: I exercise every day for my health.
Japanese: 彼の両親は今も健在だ。
Kana: かれのりょうしんはいまもけんざいだ。
Romaji: Kare no ryōshin wa ima mo kenzai da.
English: His parents are still alive and well.
Japanese: 健やかな成長を願っています。
Kana: すこやかなせいちょうをねがっています。
Romaji: Sukoyaka na seichō o negatte imasu.
English: I wish for healthy growth.
Japanese: 健全な精神は健全な肉体に宿る。
Kana: けんぜんなせいしんはけんぜんなにくたいにやどる。
Romaji: Kenzen na seishin wa kenzen na nikutai ni yadoru.
English: A sound mind dwells in a sound body.
Japanese: 選手たちは健闘を誓った。
Kana: せんしゅたちはけんとうをちかった。
Romaji: Senshu-tachi wa kentō o chikatta.
English: The athletes vowed to fight bravely.
Japanese: 保健室は生徒の健康をサポートする場所です。
Kana: ほけんしつはせいとのけんこうをサポートするばしょです。
Romaji: Hoken-shitsu wa seito no kenkō o sapōto suru basho desu.
English: The infirmary is a place that supports students’ health.
Japanese: 彼は健脚なので、山登りも楽々だ。
Kana: かれはけんきゃくなので、やまのぼりもらくらいだ。
Romaji: Kare wa kenkyaku nanode, yamanobori mo rakuraku da.
English: He has strong legs, so mountain climbing is easy for him.
Japanese: 子どもの健やかな未来のために、環境を守ろう。
Kana: こどものすこやかなみらいのために、かんきょうをまもろう。
Romaji: Kodomo no sukoyaka na mirai no tame ni, kankyō o mamorō.
English: Let’s protect the environment for a healthy future for our children.
Japanese: 毎年、職場で定期健診を受けています。
Kana: まいとし、しょくばでていきけんしんをうけています。
Romaji: Maitoshi, shokuba de teiki kenshin o uketeimasu.
English: I receive a regular health check-up at work every year.
Japanese: 彼は健忘症気味で、よく物をなくす。
Kana: かれはけんぼうしょうぎみで、よくものをなくす。
Romaji: Kare wa kenbōshō-gimi de, yoku mono o nakusu.
English: He’s a bit forgetful and often loses things.
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.