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.
このパンは硬すぎる。
This bread is too stiff.
新しい革靴はまだ硬い。
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.
洗濯したジーンズがこわばっている。
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.
この箱は堅い素材でできている。
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).
最近、肩が凝っている。
My shoulders have been stiff lately.
首が凝って痛い。
My neck is stiff and painful.
Literally "muscles are taut/stiff." Used for muscle stiffness or tension.
運動の後で筋肉が張っている。
My muscles are stiff after exercising.
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.
あのパーティーは堅苦しかった。
That party was stiff and formal.
彼は堅苦しい人だ。
He is a stiff person.
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.
Literally "strong alcohol." Common way to say a stiff drink.
彼は強い酒を好む。
He likes stiff drinks.
Means "straight" or "neat," implying undiluted and stiff.
ウイスキーをストレートでください。
I'll have a stiff whiskey, please.
Describing something challenging, harsh, or demanding.
Means strict, severe, or stiff. Used for penalties, competition, rules.
彼は厳しい罰を受けた。
He received a stiff penalty.
今年の競争は厳しい。
The competition is stiff this year.
Describing wind that blows firmly.
Simple word for strong. Used for wind.
強い風が吹いている。
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.
寒さで指がこわばった。
My fingers got stiff from the cold.
彼女はぎこちない笑顔を見せた。
She gave a stiff smile.
His expression was stiff.