Translation guide
Describes hot, humid weather or a person/appearance that is sexually attractive in a dark, mysterious way.
Describe weather that is oppressively hot and humid, often with a sense of stillness.
Describe a person, especially a woman, or their appearance as sexually attractive in a dark, mysterious, or passionate way.
蒸し暑い focuses on humidity and heat, while 暑苦しい emphasizes the oppressive, stuffy feeling that makes you uncomfortable. 暑苦しい can also describe a person's overbearing personality.
It's sultry during the rainy season.
The most common and natural way to describe hot, humid, and stuffy weather. It emphasizes the discomfort of humidity.
It's really sultry today, isn't it?
On sultry nights, I can't fall asleep easily.
A verb meaning 'to be humid/stuffy'. Often used to describe the weather or a room. More casual than 蒸し暑い.
It's sultry today, huh.
Literally 'hot and stuffy', implying an oppressive, uncomfortable heat. Can also describe a person's demeanor (overbearing).
This room is sultry, so let's open a window.
A 'tropical night', specifically when the temperature doesn't drop below 25°C. Used in weather forecasts and news.
Tonight will be a sultry night.
Describes someone or something as sexy, sensual, or alluring. It carries a nuance of mature charm and can be used for both appearance and behavior.
Her sultry gaze made my heart skip a beat.
That actress has a very sultry voice.
A more literary or formal word meaning bewitching, voluptuous, or enchantingly beautiful. Often used to describe a femme fatale type.
She exuded a sultry charm.
Literally 'troubling' or 'tantalizing', it describes a seductive, provocative beauty that stirs desire. Often used for poses or expressions.
I was captivated by her sultry pose.
A direct loanword from English 'sexy'. Very common and casual, but lacks the dark/mysterious nuance of 'sultry'. Use with caution if you want to emphasize that nuance.
Does not fully capture the 'dark/mysterious' nuance of 'sultry'. Use 色っぽい for a closer match.
That dress is really sexy.
満員電車は暑苦しい。
A packed train is sultry and stuffy.
蒸し暑い only describes weather or environments. Using it to describe a person would be unnatural and confusing. For a sultry person, use 色っぽい or 妖艶.