Describes something powerfully energetic, wild, or aggressive. Often used with nouns like 勢い, 暑さ, or 動物.
He drove the car at a breakneck speed.
This summer was intensely hot.
The dog ran at a ferocious speed.
Prefix used in compounds to indicate an extreme degree. Common in words like 猛暑, 猛吹雪, 猛勉強.
In the severe blizzard, visibility was completely lost.
The athletes trained intensely before the tournament.
凄まじい conveys an awe-inspiring, overwhelming intensity that can describe almost anything, whereas 猛 is narrower, stressing fierce or aggressive force and appearing mainly as a prefix.
荒々しい describes rough, wild manner or behavior, while 猛 highlights sheer ferocity or an extreme degree, often fused into compounds like 猛犬.
fierce; intense; violent; severe · extremely; terribly; very
heat wave; fierce heat; extreme summer heat
fierce animal; beast of prey; big game
deadly poison; virulent poison
ferocious; fierce; savage
fury; menace; rampage
bird of prey; raptor
fierce tiger; ferocious tiger · Hanshin Tigers
fierce attack; onslaught
The kanji 猛 originally depicts a fierce dog and carries the meaning of ferocity or intensity. The reading もう is the on'yomi. The word is used mainly in written or formal contexts.
serious reflection; soul-searching; penitence
hot pursuit; hot chase
raging flames; roaring fire
fierce dog; savage dog
rushing madly ahead; dashing forward recklessly
strong opposition; vehement opposition
fierce; ferocious; savage
daring; brave; bold; valiant; intrepid; dauntless
valiant courage; fierce bravery
studying hard; cramming
great strength; fierce force · courageous army; valiant troops
tough woman; dragon lady
withering gunfire; heavy fire
brave general; valiant warrior
savage; ferocious; atrocious