Translation guide
The English adverb "intensely" describes a high degree of strength, force, or concentration. In Japanese, it is expressed through various adverbs and adverbial phrases depending on the context: emotional intensity, physical force, concentration, or sensory vividness. Direct translation is often unnatural; choose the expression that matches the specific nuance.
To describe feeling or doing something with deep emotion, passion, or fervor.
General adverb for 'strongly' or 'intensely', used for emotions, desires, or sensations.
I love her intensely.
I intensely desire it.
Implies violent or fierce intensity, often for emotions like anger, jealousy, or passion.
Means 'enthusiastically' or 'intensely' in the sense of passionate dedication, often for interests or pursuits.
He studies intensely.
Conveys single-minded intensity, doing something with all one's heart or effort.
I prayed intensely.
To describe an action done with extreme physical intensity, such as hitting, shaking, or burning.
The most common word for physical intensity: violent, fierce, or severe.
It's raining intensely.
He pounded on the door intensely.
Indicates extreme, almost overwhelming intensity, often for natural forces or speed.
It's intensely hot.
Means 'powerfully' or 'intensely', often for sensory experiences or impacts.
An intensely bright light pierced my eyes.
To describe looking, thinking, or working with intense concentration.
For staring or gazing fixedly and intensely, often without moving.
She stared at me intensely.
Means 'with one's whole heart', used for intense concentration on a task.
Literally 'concentrating', used as an adverb to mean 'intensely focused'.
I worked on the task intensely.
To emphasize the extreme degree of an adjective or another adverb.
General intensifier meaning 'very' or 'extremely', often a natural translation for 'intensely' when modifying adjectives.
It's an intensely difficult problem.
Formal intensifier meaning 'extremely', suitable for written or formal contexts.
Casual intensifier, common in spoken Japanese.
To describe something that is intensely bright, strong-tasting, or pungent.
The English word 'intensely' is often used as a general intensifier, but directly translating it as 激しく or 強く in all cases can sound unnatural. Consider whether the intended meaning is emotional, physical, or degree-related, and choose the appropriate Japanese adverb.
激しく implies violent, fierce, or turbulent intensity, while 強く is a more general 'strongly'. Use 激しく for anger, storms, or physical violence; use 強く for emotions like love, desire, or determination.
She stared at me intensely.
He worked intensely on the project.
The sun was intensely hot.
He is reading a book intensely.
極めて重要な発見だ。
It's an intensely important discovery.
I'm intensely tired.