Translation guide
The English word "stiff" covers physical rigidity, body aches, formal behavior, strong drinks, and more. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by meaning.
Describing objects, materials, or substances that are not flexible or soft.
General word for hard, stiff, or rigid. Works for materials, food, and abstract things.
This bread is too stiff.
The new leather shoes are still stiff.
Describes something that has become stiff from tension, cold, or drying. Often used for fabric, muscles, or expressions.
The washed jeans are stiff.
Similar to 硬い but often used for firm, solid, or tightly packed things. Can imply stiffness in a structural sense.
This box is made of stiff material.
Describing muscles or joints that ache and lack flexibility, often after exercise or from cold.
Specifically for stiff shoulders or muscles. Often used as 肩が凝る (shoulders are stiff).
My shoulders have been stiff lately.
My neck is stiff and painful.
Literally "muscles are taut/stiff." Used for muscle stiffness or tension.
Verb meaning to become stiff, often from cold or tension. Used for body parts.
Describing a person's behavior, atmosphere, or social interaction that lacks warmth or flexibility.
Describes a stiff, formal, and overly rigid atmosphere or person. Often negative.
That party was stiff and formal.
Means awkward, clumsy, or stiff in movement or speech. Often used for a stiff smile or gesture.
Can also describe a stiff expression, attitude, or writing style.
Referring to a drink with high alcohol content, often served neat.
Describing something challenging, harsh, or demanding.
Means strict, severe, or stiff. Used for penalties, competition, rules.
He received a stiff penalty.
Describing wind that blows firmly.
Simple word for strong. Used for wind.
A stiff breeze is blowing.
English "stiff" for body parts is not directly translated as 硬い (katai). Use 凝る (koru) for shoulders/neck, or こわばる (kowabaru) for cold-induced stiffness.
All read かたい. 硬い is for hard/stiff materials (opposite of soft). 堅い is for firm/solid things or strictness. 固い is for solid/lumpy substances or stubbornness. For "stiff" in physical sense, 硬い is most common.
My muscles are stiff after exercising.
寒さで指がこわばった。
My fingers got stiff from the cold.
He is a stiff person.
She gave a stiff smile.
His expression was stiff.
The competition is stiff this year.