苦にがい

に

が

い

Common wordJLPTN4Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

i-adjective

Describes a sharp, unpleasant taste like coffee, dark chocolate, or medicine. Also used figuratively for a bitter experience or feeling.

甘あまい
甘い means 'sweet', the opposite taste. 苦い is specifically for bitterness, not just 'not sweet'.
渋しぶい
渋い describes astringency (like unripe persimmon or strong tea), while 苦い is pure bitterness.

Native Japanese adjective. The kanji 苦 is used for its meaning 'bitter, painful', but the reading にがい is not derived from Chinese.