きつい · i-adjective
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | きつい | きつくない |
| Polite | きついです | きつくないですalso きつくありません |
| Past polite | きつかったです | きつくなかったですalso きつくありませんでした |
| Past | きつかった | きつくなかった |
| Te-form | きつくて | きつくなくて |
| Adverbial | きつく | |
| Conditional | きつければ | きつくなければ |
| Tara conditional | きつかったら | きつくなかったら |
Describes a situation, task, or condition that is physically or mentally strenuous, difficult to endure, or puts a strain on someone.
Today's work was really tough.
この坂道は自転車ではきつい。
This slope is hard going on a bicycle.
determined; strong-minded; forceful
Used for a person's personality, attitude, or way of speaking that is assertive, unyielding, or intimidating.
彼女はきつい性格だが、仕事はできる。
She has a forceful personality, but she's good at her job.
上司にきつい言い方をされて落ち込んだ。
I felt down after my boss spoke to me harshly.
Describes a stimulus such as sunlight, alcohol, or a smell that is overpowering or hard to tolerate.
この酒はきついから、少しだけにしておこう。
This alcohol is strong, so I'll just have a little.
夏の日差しがきつくて、外に出られない。
The summer sunlight is so intense I can't go outside.
tight; constricting; close-fitting
Used for clothing, shoes, or accessories that are uncomfortably tight or restrictive.
この靴はちょっときついので、ワンサイズ上をください。
These shoes are a bit tight, so please give me one size up.
スカートのウエストがきつくなってきた。
The waist of my skirt has become tight.
extreme; unusually strong
Used in a limited way to describe something that is excessively strong or goes beyond normal limits, often in set phrases like きつい口調 or きつい条件.
あの先生はきつい口調で生徒を叱る。
That teacher scolds students in a harsh tone.
契約の条件がきつすぎて、サインできなかった。
The contract terms were too extreme, so I couldn't sign.
The schedule is so demanding that I have no time to rest.
He warned me in a harsh tone.
This perfume has a very strong smell.
These shoes are a bit too tight.
The boss often treats his subordinates harshly.
I fastened the belt tightly.
きつい stresses that something is harsh, tight, or demanding in intensity, while しんどい focuses on the draining, wearying effect it has on the person.
きつい means 'tight,' the direct opposite of 緩やか when describing how something is fastened or fits.
きつい means tight or strict, the opposite of ゆるゆる's sense of looseness or slack fit.
きつい describes something strong, harsh, or intense, the opposite of マイルド, which describes something gentle and not harsh.
きつい describes clothing that fits tightly, the opposite of ルーズ clothing which fits loosely.
きつい describes something tight or snug-fitting, the opposite of たっぷり used for clothes or spaces that are loose and roomy.
きつい describes clothing that is too tight, the opposite fit problem from だぶだぶ, which describes clothing that is too loose.
きつい describes clothing that is too tight, the opposite end of the spectrum from ぶかぶか, which describes clothing that is too loose.