重じゅう厚こう

also: ちょうこう

じゅ

う

こ

う

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

na-adjective, noun

profound; deep; grave; solid; dignified; stately; solemn; composed; substantial; massive

Describes something that feels weighty, serious, and impressive, often with a sense of dignity or solidity. Used for atmosphere, personality, architecture, objects, and abstract qualities.

この寺てらの雰ふん囲い気きはとても重じゅう厚こうだ。
The atmosphere of this temple is very profound and dignified.
彼かれの重じゅう厚こうな声こえが会かい場じょうに響ひびいた。
His deep, stately voice echoed through the hall.
重じゅう厚こうな造つくりの机つくえが部屋へやの中ちゅう央おうに置おかれていた。
A solidly built desk was placed in the center of the room.

See all 16 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

重じゅう厚こうな〈物もの〉a solid, dignified ~ (of buildings, furniture, objects)
この建たて物ものは重じゅう厚こうな石いし造づくりで、歴れき史しを感かんじさせる。
This building is made of solid, dignified stone and evokes a sense of history.
重じゅう厚こうな雰ふん囲い気きa weighty, dignified atmosphere
会かい議ぎ室しつには重じゅう厚こうな雰ふん囲い気きが漂ただよっていた。
A weighty, dignified atmosphere hung over the conference room.
重じゅう厚こう感かんがあるto have a sense of solidity/gravitas
この車くるまは重じゅう厚こう感かんがあって、乗のり心地ごこちも良よい。
This car has a solid, substantial feel and rides comfortably too.

Kanji

重heavy, important, esteem
厚thick, heavy, rich

Related words

荘そう厳ごん
荘厳 stresses solemn, awe-inspiring grandeur (often religious), while 重厚 emphasizes weighty solidity and dignified depth without necessarily being awe-inspiring.
厳おごそかN1
厳か describes a solemn, ceremonious atmosphere or manner, whereas 重厚 adds a sense of physical or metaphorical heaviness and substance.
重おも々おもしい
重々しい focuses on a heavy, grave manner or tone (often of speech or behavior), while 重厚 covers a broader range including objects, architecture, and character.
どっしりN1
重厚 is a formal written word for weighty dignity or gravitas, while どっしり is a more casual, everyday mimetic word for the same impression.

Opposites

軽けい薄はくN1
軽薄 describes something frivolous, shallow, or flippant, the direct opposite of the dignified weightiness expressed by 重厚.
軽けい妙みょう
重厚 describes writing or speech that is heavy and profound, the opposite of the light, witty ease of 軽妙.

Don't confuse with

温おん厚こうN2
温厚 shares the kanji 厚 but means gentle and mild-mannered in personality, unlike 重厚 which describes weighty, dignified solidity.

Word family

重じゅう厚こう長ちょう大だい
heavy, thick, long, and big; massive and heavy; heavy industry

Written forms

重厚Usage100%
- じゅうこう
  Standard kanji form; the reading じゅうこう is the most common.
- ちょうこう
  Rare alternate reading; じゅうこう is overwhelmingly preferred in modern Japanese.
ちょうこう

Etymology

Compound of 重 (heavy, weighty) and 厚 (thick, substantial). The combination conveys a sense of profound weight and solidity, both physically and metaphorically.