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手ごわい (てごわい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
i-adjective
tough ; formidable ; difficult to deal with
Describes opponents, tasks, or situations that are unexpectedly strong, resistant, or hard to overcome. Often implies a challenge that requires effort or skill.
、
なかなか
解と
け
ない
。
This problem is so difficult that I just can't solve it.
Written forms 手て ごわい Usage 48%
Common mixed kanji-kana spelling; preferred in news and general use.
手て 強ごわ い Usage 47%
Full kanji spelling; less common but still encountered.
てごわい Usage 5%
Similar words 難むずか しい 難しい is a general word for 'difficult' (intellectual or technical complexity). 手ごわい emphasizes resistance, stubbornness, or the challenge of overcoming an opponent or obstacle.
強きょう 敵てき 強敵 is a noun meaning 'strong enemy/opponent'. 手ごわい is an adjective describing the quality of being formidable.
Etymology Compound of 手 (hand, means) and 強い (strong, tough). The reading ごわい is a voiced form of こわい (strong, stiff), indicating a sense of being hard to handle or overcome.
