Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
手強い (てづよい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
i-adjective
strong ; tough ; formidable
Describes a person, opponent, or attitude that is strong-willed, unyielding, or difficult to deal with. Often implies a challenging or stubborn quality.
題だい
は
手て
強づよ
い
。
This problem is formidable.
Written forms 手て 強づよ い
手て づよい
Alternative spelling using okurigana づよい; less common but still seen.
Similar words 強つよ い 強い is a general word for 'strong'. 手強い specifically emphasizes a challenging, unyielding, or stubborn strength in a person or situation.
頑がん 固こ 頑固 means 'stubborn' and focuses on inflexibility. 手強い can include stubbornness but also implies formidable strength or difficulty.
Etymology Compound of 手 (te, 'hand') and 強い (tsuyoi, 'strong'), literally 'strong-handed'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the meaning has shifted to 'formidable' or 'tough'.