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鋼
“steel” in Japanese is 鋼, read kou, hagane (こう, はがね). It is a Grade 6 Kyōiku kanji, taught in year 6 of Japanese elementary school, and appears in words such as 鉄鋼 (iron and steel).
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What does 鋼 mean?
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この橋は鋼でできている。
このはしははがねでできている。This bridge is made of steel.
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Full details, readings & example
| Kanji | 鋼 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | steel |
| Readings | こう, はがね |
| Grade | Grade 6 (Hardest) |
| Curriculum | Kyōiku kanji · Japanese elementary school |
| Example | 鉄鋼 (iron and steel) |
How to read 鋼
鋼 is read kou (こう) or hagane (はがね) depending on the word.
Words with 鋼
- 鉄鋼
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Kanji read the same way as 鋼
Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:
Updated: 2026-08-28