Translation guide
The English word 'bitterness' can refer to a taste, a feeling of resentment, or a harsh quality. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Describing the sharp, unpleasant taste of food or drink, like black coffee or dark chocolate.
The most direct and common noun for 'bitter taste'. Used in everyday contexts.
This coffee has a strong bitterness.
Noun form of the adjective 苦い (bitter). Slightly more casual than 苦味.
Refers specifically to astringent bitterness, like that of unripe persimmons or strong tea. Often used in tea tasting.
Expressing a lingering feeling of anger, resentment, or disappointment, often from a past experience.
A strong feeling of resentment or grudge. Often implies a desire for revenge or payback.
He harbors bitterness toward the company.
A feeling of bitter displeasure or disgust, often mixed with frustration. More about the emotional taste of bitterness.
I felt bitterness at his attitude.
Literally 'bitter feelings', used for a painful or unpleasant emotional experience.
Deep-seated grudge or enmity, often from a historical or long-standing conflict. Formal and literary.
Describing something that is painfully difficult, severe, or harsh, like bitter cold or a bitter lesson.
General word for severity, harshness, or rigor. Used for weather, conditions, discipline, etc.
I felt the bitterness of winter on my skin.
A 'bitter experience', often a lesson learned the hard way.
Sharp bitterness, like biting criticism or sarcasm. Often used for words or remarks.
苦味 (にがみ) is general bitterness, like coffee or medicine. 渋味 (しぶみ) is astringent bitterness, like unripe fruit or strong tea. Use 苦味 for most foods, 渋味 for tea, wine, or persimmons.
While 苦い (にがい) can describe emotions in phrases like 苦い思い出 (bitter memory), using it alone to describe a person's feeling may sound unnatural. Use 恨み (うらみ) or 苦々しい (にがにがしい) instead.
The bitterness of the coffee was too strong for me.
He spoke with bitterness about his former boss.
I was surprised by the bitterness of this medicine.
この抹茶は渋味が少なくて飲みやすい。
This matcha has little bitterness and is easy to drink.
She can't forget the bitterness of her broken heart.
Bitterness remains between the two families.
It was a bitter experience, but it taught me a good lesson.
Everyone was surprised by the bitterness of his criticism.