きつい

きつい
i-adjective
tight, harsh, intense
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Presentきついきつくない
Pastきつかったきつくなかった
て formきつくてきつくなくて
Adverbialきつく—
Conditional ばきつければきつくなければ
Conditional たらきつかったらきつくなかったら
1. tight, close-fitting
Too snug or constricting.
この靴(くつ)はきつい。
These shoes are too tight.
ズボンがきつくなった。
My pants have gotten tight.
太(ふと)ったので服(ふく)がきつい。
I gained weight so my clothes are tight.
2. harsh, severe
Strict or demanding.
きつい言(い)い方(かた)。
A harsh way of speaking.
性格(せいかく)がきつい人(ひと)だ。
That person has a harsh personality.
そんなきついことを言(い)わないでよ。
Don't say such harsh things.
3. intense, hard
Difficult to bear.
きつい仕事(しごと)だ。
It's a tough job.
この坂(さか)はきつい。
This slope is tough.
毎日(まいにち)残業(ざんぎょう)が続(つづ)いてきつい。
Working overtime every day is really hard.

きつい is an i-adjective with a wide range of meanings from physical tightness to emotional harshness.

FORMS:

  • Adverb: きつく
  • Noun form: きつさ

COMMON USES:

  • 服(ふく)がきつい: clothes are tight
  • 坂(さか)がきつい: the slope is steep/demanding
  • 性格(せいかく)がきつい: personality is harsh
  • 仕事(しごと)がきつい: work is tough/demanding
  • きつい言(い)い方(かた): harsh way of speaking
  • 匂(にお)いがきつい: smell is strong/overpowering

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • きつい vs. 厳(きび)しい: きつい emphasizes difficulty or discomfort; 厳(きび)しい emphasizes strictness or severity

Related Words

Contrast: 厳(きび)しい (strict, severe)
general
Added 2026.1.9 17:23 · Revised 2026.4.6 8:58
02000/02342_kitsui