Japanese symbol for “reinforce”
固める
かためる
Romaji: katameru
to harden; to freeze; to strengthen; to solidify
In Japanese, reinforce is 固める, read かためる (katameru).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- v1, vt to harden; to freeze; to strengthen; to solidify; to make (a fist); to tramp down (snow, dirt)
- v1, vt to put together; to collect; to gather; to consolidate
- v1, vt to make secure; to stabilize; to settle down; to strengthen (belief, resolution, etc.); to establish (evidence)
- v1, vt to fortify; to reinforce; to support
- v1, vt to wear for a specific purpose (armor, coat, etc.)
- v1, vt to swear; to resolutely vow; to sincerely promise
Written forms: 固める、堅める. Readings: かためる.
Kanji and stroke order
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 固定 | こてい kotei | fixing (in place); being fixed (in place); securing |
| 固有 | こゆう koyuu | characteristic (of); peculiar (to); inherent (in) |
| 頑固 | がんこ ganko | stubborn; obstinate; pigheaded |
| 固め | かため katame | hardening; fortifying |
| 固体 | こたい kotai | solid (body); solid matter; solid-state |
See also: Chinese symbol for “reinforce”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.