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つらい Japanese meaning | Kotomora

つらい

つ

ら

い

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 2,000

Meanings

1

i-adjective

painful; heartbreaking; emotionally difficult

usually written using kana alone

Describes emotional pain, sadness, or distress that is hard to bear. Often used for personal feelings of grief, regret, or heartache.

彼かれと別わかれるのは本ほん当とうにつらい。
Breaking up with him is really painful.
つらい思おも

い

出で

を

忘わす

れ

られ

ない

。

I can't forget the painful memories.

2

i-adjective

tough; hard; difficult (situation)

usually written using kana alone

Refers to situations, conditions, or tasks that are physically or mentally demanding, harsh, or hard to endure. Often used for life circumstances, work, or environments.

See also: 辛い (づらい)

この仕し事ごとは体からだにつらい。
This job is hard on the body.
つらい状じょう況きょうでもあきらめない。
I won't give up even in tough situations.

3

i-adjective

cruel; harsh; cold

usually written using kana alone

Describes words, actions, or attitudes that are unkind, severe, or merciless. Often used when someone is being harsh to another person.

そんなつらいことを言いわないで。
Don't say such cruel things.
彼かれは部ぶ下かにつらく当あたる。
He treats his subordinates harshly.

Written forms

つらいUsage38%
Usually written in kana; the kanji spelling 辛い is also common but can be confused with からい (spicy).
辛つらいUsage60%
Common kanji spelling, but note the homograph 辛い (からい) meaning 'spicy'.
ツライUsage2%
search-only kana form
Katakana spelling, sometimes used for emphasis or in informal writing.
ツラいUsage1%
search-only kana form
Mixed katakana-hiragana spelling, occasionally seen in casual writing.

Kanji

辛spicy, bitter, hot

Similar words

苦くるしい
苦しい emphasizes physical or mental suffering, often with a sense of struggle or agony, while つらい focuses more on emotional pain or hardship that is hard to bear.
辛からい
辛い (からい) means 'spicy' or 'salty' and is a different word despite sharing the same kanji. Context and reading distinguish them.
大たい変へん
大変 is a more general term for 'difficult' or 'serious' situations, often used objectively, while つらい carries a stronger subjective sense of emotional or physical distress.

Etymology

Derived from classical Japanese つらし (tsurashi), with the same meanings. The kanji 辛 is used for its meaning of 'bitter' or 'painful', but the word itself is native Japanese.