i-adjective
The basic physical sense: having a lot of weight or being hard to lift, carry, or move. The usual opposite is 軽い.
Antonyms: 軽い
この箱は見た目より重い。
This box is heavier than it looks.
重い荷
I carried the heavy luggage to the station.
i-adjective
emotionally heavy; depressed; uneasy
Describes a gloomy, burdened, or reluctant feeling. Common in phrases such as 気が重い and 重い気分.
試験の結果を考えると気が重い。
When I think about the exam results, my heart feels heavy.
彼女は重い気分のまま家に帰った。
She went home still feeling gloomy.
i-adjective
Used when movement, operation, or response feels slow and burdened. In modern everyday use it is also very common for devices, software, or internet connections that run sluggishly.
古いスマホはアプリの起動が重い。
On the old smartphone, apps are slow to start.
彼は疲れていて動きが重い。
He is tired, and his movements are sluggish.
i-adjective
Used for matters, roles, decisions, words, or responsibilities that carry great weight or significance.
彼女は若くして重い責任を任された。
She was entrusted with a heavy responsibility at a young age.
彼の言葉は短いが重い。
His words are brief, but they carry weight.
i-adjective
Used for negative conditions or consequences such as illness, injury, punishment, or damage when they are serious or severe.
祖父の病気は思ったより重い。
My grandfather's illness is more serious than we thought.
飲酒運転には重い罰が科される。
Drunk driving is subject to severe punishment.
i-adjective
A less common evaluative use for a person's character, manner, or bearing: not frivolous, but steady, dignified, or sensible. It can sound somewhat old-fashioned or literary compared with words such as 落ち着いた.
祖父は口数は少ないが、重い人柄で皆に信頼されていた。
My grandfather was a man of few words, but everyone trusted his steady, dignified character.