Translation guide
The English word "intense" covers a wide range of meanings, from strong emotions and extreme physical sensations to high concentration and vivid colors. Japanese uses different words depending on what is being described.
Describing emotions like love, hatred, excitement, or fear that are very powerful.
A versatile adjective meaning violent, intense, or fierce. Commonly used for emotions like anger, love, or competition.
He felt intense anger.
There was intense affection between the two.
A na-adjective meaning very strong or intense, often used for impressions, feelings, or personalities.
She left an intense impression.
Means passionate or fervent, often used for love, support, or enthusiasm.
He fell into an intense love.
Describing physical pain, heat, cold, or other bodily experiences that are very strong.
Also used for physical intensity like pain, exercise, or weather.
An intense pain shot through me.
Can be used for physical sensations like smell, taste, or light.
I was dazzled by the intense sunlight.
Means fierce or violent, often used for natural forces or strong physical experiences.
I feel like collapsing from the intense heat.
Describing focus, effort, work, or competition that is very concentrated and demanding.
Means concentrated or intensive, used for work, study, or effort.
We did intense training.
Can describe intense competition or activity.
Loanword from English 'hard', used for intense schedules, work, or training.
Today's practice was intense.
Describing colors, light, or visual effects that are very bright and striking.
Describing abstract things like interest, desire, or meaning that are very strong and deep.
激しい (hageshii) is the most general and can be used for emotions, physical sensations, and activity. 強烈 (kyōretsu) emphasizes a strong impact or impression, often on the senses. 猛烈 (mōretsu) implies fierceness or violence, often for natural forces or extreme conditions.
Do not always translate 'intense' as 激しい. For example, 'intense concentration' is better as 集中的な (shūchūteki na) or 深い集中 (fukai shūchū). 'Intense color' is 鮮やかな (azayaka na), not 激しい色.
The heat is intense today.
激しい競争が繰り広げられた。
Intense competition unfolded.
Those words have an intense meaning.