かたっ苦しい · i-adjective
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | かたっ苦しい | かたっ苦しくない |
| Polite | かたっ苦しいです | かたっ苦しくないですalso かたっ苦しくありません |
| Past polite | かたっ苦しかったです | かたっ苦しくなかったですalso かたっ苦しくありませんでした |
| Past | かたっ苦しかった | かたっ苦しくなかった |
| Te-form | かたっ苦しくて | かたっ苦しくなくて |
| Adverbial | かたっ苦しく | |
| Conditional | かたっ苦しければ | かたっ苦しくなければ |
| Tara conditional | かたっ苦しかったら | かたっ苦しくなかったら |
stiff; formal; ceremonious; strict
Describes a person, atmosphere, or manner that is overly formal, rigid, or lacking warmth. Often used negatively for situations that feel constrained or uncomfortable.
See also: 堅苦しい
His greeting was so stiff that everyone got tense.
This restaurant has a formal atmosphere and you can't really relax.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling is common and avoids the heavy kanji feel while keeping the meaning clear.
Full kanji spelling; this is the only kanji form. It is correct but can look stiff itself.
Derived from 堅苦しい (かたくるしい) with an emphatic geminated っ inserted, giving a more colloquial and intensified feel. The base 堅苦しい combines 堅い (hard, stiff) and 苦しい (painful, difficult).