Translation guide
This guide covers how to express that something is physically rigid, tense, or inflexible in Japanese, including body parts, objects, and metaphorical stiffness.
Describing something that is not flexible, like a board, wire, or fabric.
General word for 'hard' or 'stiff', used for objects that resist bending or are not soft.
この板は硬くて曲がらない。
This board is stiff and won't bend.
新しいジーンズは生地が硬い。
The fabric of new jeans is stiff.
Often used for things that are firm, solid, or tightly packed, like stiff clay or a stiff knot.
この粘土は固くて形を作りにくい。
This clay is stiff and hard to shape.
Describing muscle tension, soreness, or lack of flexibility in the body.
Specifically used for muscle stiffness or knots, especially in shoulders and neck. Often used as 肩が凝る (shoulders are stiff).
最近、肩が凝っている。
My shoulders have been stiff lately.
パソコン作業で首が凝った。
My neck got stiff from computer work.
Can be used for body parts that are stiff and inflexible, like joints or muscles, but 凝る is more common for muscle tension.
Describes a feeling of tightness or stiffness, often in muscles. 肩が張る means shoulders feel stiff/tight.
肩が張って痛い。
My shoulders are stiff and painful.
Describing a person's demeanor, social interaction, or atmosphere that is rigid, formal, or lacking warmth.
Describes a stiff, formal, and overly serious atmosphere or person. Often used for ceremonies or formal gatherings.
あのパーティーは堅苦しくて楽しめなかった。
That party was too stiff and I couldn't enjoy it.
彼はいつも堅苦しい話し方をする。
He always has a stiff way of speaking.
Means awkward, clumsy, or stiff in movement or social interaction. Often used for someone who is not relaxed.
Can describe a stiff expression or attitude, like 硬い表情 (stiff expression).
Describing something that requires force to operate because it is not smooth.
Used for things that are hard to move or turn, like a stiff door knob or a stiff lid.
このドアノブは固くて回しにくい。
This doorknob is stiff and hard to turn.
瓶の蓋が固くて開かない。
The jar lid is stiff and won't open.
Often used for mechanical parts that are stiff or sticky, like a stiff drawer or a stiff brake.
Describing something intense or harsh, like a stiff breeze or a stiff punishment.
硬い (かたい) is for hard/stiff materials (e.g., metal, wood). 固い (かたい) is for firm/solid things (e.g., clay, knots). 凝る (こる) is specifically for muscle stiffness. For body stiffness, use 凝る; for objects, choose between 硬い and 固い based on the nuance.
My body has become stiff from lack of exercise.
初対面でぎこちない雰囲気だった。
There was a stiff atmosphere as we met for the first time.
He sat with a stiff expression.
The drawer is stiff and hard to open.
彼は厳しい罰を受けた。
He received a stiff penalty.