Translation guide
The English word "heavy" covers a wide range of meanings, from physical weight to abstract intensity. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese expressions for each sense, helping you choose the right word depending on what is heavy.
Describing an object that weighs a lot.
The most common and general word for physical heaviness.
This box is heavy.
Carrying heavy luggage up the stairs is tough.
Literally "has weight," used in more formal or technical contexts.
This machine is quite heavy.
Describing weather, traffic, or other phenomena that are intense or abundant.
Describing food that feels heavy in the stomach.
Can be used for food that feels heavy, but often sounds a bit direct.
This dish is a bit heavy, isn't it?
Describes food that sits heavy in the stomach, causing indigestion.
Rich, heavy, and thick in flavor/texture, often for ramen or stews.
I want to eat heavy, rich ramen.
Describing psychological weight, duty, or a gloomy mood.
Describing a person who consumes a lot of something.
Describing a schedule or workload that is demanding.
Describing a sound that is deep, resonant, or loud.
Can describe a deep, heavy sound or voice.
A heavy sound echoed.
Simply means low-pitched, often used for voices.
Slang for a menacing, heavy voice, often used for yakuza characters.
I was threatened in a heavy, menacing voice.
Describing eyes that feel heavy due to sleepiness.
While 重い can be used metaphorically, it doesn't cover all senses of "heavy." For rain, traffic, or smoking, other words are more natural. Using 重い for rain (重い雨) sounds unnatural; use 激しい雨 instead.
重い is for physical weight or emotional burden. 激しい is for intensity of action or natural phenomena. Compare: 重い荷物 (heavy luggage) vs. 激しい雨 (heavy rain).
This suitcase is really heavy.
The traffic was heavy this morning.
I feel heavy after eating that pizza.
Traffic is heavy.
Traffic is heavy.
明日は大雪の予報だ。
Heavy snow is forecast for tomorrow.
Greasy food sits heavy on my stomach.
彼は重圧に押しつぶされそうだ。
He seems crushed by the heavy pressure.
Describes an oppressive, heavy atmosphere or feeling.
A heavy silence continued.
He is a heavy drinker.
Chain smoker, even heavier than a regular heavy smoker.
He's a chain smoker and smokes three packs a day.
This job is heavy / demanding.
I'm tired from the heavy schedule.
He spoke in a heavy / deep voice.