synonym Comparative
固い
VS
手堅い
Differences Between "固い" and "手堅い"
Option A
固い
Meaning
hard; firm; solid; stiff
Reading
かたい (katai)
Syllabus Level
N4
Practical Example
このパンは焼きたてなのに、少し固い。
This bread is freshly baked, but a little hard.
Option B
手堅い
Meaning
solid; steady; reliable; safe; cautious; secure
Reading
てがたい (tegatai)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
彼はいつも手堅い方法で投資をしている。
He always invests using solid, reliable methods.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(hard; firm; solid; stiff)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 固い: I-adjective. Describes something physically hard to break, or firm. For N4, it commonly refers to physical hardness. (物理的に壊れにくいものや、しっかりしているものを表すイ形容詞。N4レベルでは、主に物理的な硬さを指します。)
- 手堅い: Used as an い-adjective to describe something or someone that is reliable, secure, cautious, or solid. It often implies a lack of risk or flashiness, opting instead for stability and certainty. 「確実で安全、堅実である」というニュアンス。
- 固い: I-adjective. Describes something physically hard to break, or firm. For N4, it commonly refers to physical hardness. (物理的に壊れにくいものや、しっかりしているものを表すイ形容詞。N4レベルでは、主に物理的な硬さを指します。)
- 手堅い: Used as an い-adjective to describe something or someone that is reliable, secure, cautious, or solid. It often implies a lack of risk or flashiness, opting instead for stability and certainty. 「確実で安全、堅実である」というニュアンス。
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