窮きゅう屈くつ

na-adjective, noun

stiff; formal; rigid

Used for social situations, rules, or atmospheres that feel overly formal, strict, or lacking in ease and flexibility.

• あのパーティーはとても窮きゅう屈くつだった。

  That party was very stiff and formal.

• 窮きゅう屈くつな規き則そくに縛しばられている。

  We are bound by rigid rules.

na-adjective, noun

constrained; uncomfortable; ill at ease

Describes a psychological feeling of being restricted, unable to act freely, or socially uncomfortable.

• 親おやの前まえではどうも窮きゅう屈くつで、本ほん音ねが言いえない。

  I feel constrained in front of my parents and can't speak my mind.

• 彼かれと一いっ緒しょにいると、なんだか窮きゅう屈くつだ。

  Being with him makes me feel somehow uncomfortable.

na-adjective, noun

tight (finances); strained

Specifically refers to financial situations where money is tight or budgets are strained.

• 今こん月げつは予よ算さんが窮きゅう屈くつで、外がい食しょくは控ひかえている。

  Our budget is tight this month, so we're avoiding eating out.