firm

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 堅 expresses firmness or certainty; its on-reading is けん and its kun-reading is かたい.
• Basic usage: 堅い(かたい) means firm or certain, while 堅苦しい(かたくるしい) describes something excessively stiff or formal.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A certain victory and stiff greetings
  • 勝利は堅い means that victory is certain. The sense extends from the hardness of wood to the certainty of an expected result.
  • 堅苦しい挨拶 means stiff, overly formal greetings. The word describes rigid formality in matters such as personal manner or clothing.