Translation guide
The English word "thick" covers several distinct concepts in Japanese, including physical thickness of objects, density of substances, and even figurative uses like close relationships. The most common Japanese equivalent is 厚い (atsui) for flat objects, but different words are used for cylindrical objects, liquids, vegetation, and more.
Describing something that has a large distance between its two opposite surfaces, like a thick book, a thick slice of bread, or a thick wall.
The standard word for 'thick' when referring to flat objects, layers, or things with depth. Used for books, walls, slices, carpets, etc.
This dictionary is very thick.
Emphasizes that something is very thick or bulky, often with a nuance of being heavy or substantial. Commonly used for books, documents, or thick slices.
Describing something that is thick in terms of girth or circumference, like a thick rope, a thick tree trunk, or thick arms.
Used for cylindrical or long objects that are thick in diameter: ropes, poles, arms, legs, tree trunks, etc.
Describing a liquid or gas that is dense, not watery, or flows slowly, like thick soup, thick fog, or thick smoke.
Used for liquids, gases, or colors that are dense, concentrated, or deep. Covers thick soup, thick fog, thick smoke, thick makeup, etc.
Describing something that grows densely, like thick hair, thick grass, or a thick forest.
Also used for dense growth of hair, fur, or vegetation. Note: 濃い covers both density of liquids/gases and density of growth.
Describing a strong, noticeable accent or a voice that is deep or husky.
Used for a thick (strong) accent. 強い訛り (tsuyoi namari) is the standard phrase.
Describing someone who is not easily affected by criticism or insults; figuratively thick-skinned.
Describing a very close, intimate relationship, often used in the phrase 'thick as thieves'.
The most natural way to express a close relationship. Literally 'on very good terms'.
Informal way to say someone is stupid or slow to understand.
Common phrase meaning 'stupid' or 'slow-witted'. Literally 'head is bad'.
厚い is for flat things (books, walls, slices). 太い is for cylindrical things (ropes, arms, trees). Using the wrong one sounds unnatural. For example, a thick book is 厚い本, not 太い本. A thick arm is 太い腕, not 厚い腕.
厚い (thick) and 暑い (hot weather) and 熱い (hot to the touch) are all pronounced あつい. Context usually makes it clear, but pay attention to the kanji.
I grilled a thick steak.
分厚い本を読んでいる。
I'm reading a thick book.
He has thick arms.
The trunk of this tree is very thick.
濃いスープが好きです。
I like thick soup.
I can't see ahead because of the thick fog.
Describes a thick, syrupy, or gooey consistency, often for liquids like sauces or creams.
Pour a thick sauce over it.
彼は髪が濃い。
He has thick hair.
Specifically for thick, overgrown vegetation or forests.
We walked through the thick forest.
He has a thick accent.
Can describe a thick (deep, husky) voice, especially for men.
He speaks in a thick voice.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'thick-skinned' or 'shameless'. Literally 'the skin of one's face is thick'.
He is thick-skinned.
Means 'insensitive' or 'thick-headed', often used for someone who doesn't pick up on subtle cues.
He's so thick-skinned that sarcasm doesn't get through to him.
Those two are thick as thieves.
A more formal word for 'intimate' or 'close', suitable for describing relationships.
They have a thick (close) relationship.
He's a bit thick.
Means 'dull' or 'slow', often used for mental slowness.
He's thick (slow to understand).