渋い
しぶい
i-adjective
astringent; refined, understated
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 渋い | 渋くない |
| Past | 渋かった | 渋くなかった |
| て form | 渋くて | 渋くなくて |
| Adverbial | 渋く | — |
| Conditional ば | 渋ければ | 渋くなければ |
| Conditional たら | 渋かったら | 渋くなかったら |
1.
astringent
Having a dry, puckering taste, like unripe persimmons or strong tea.
2.
refined, understated, cool
Having a subtle, tasteful elegance; sophisticated in a low-key way. Often used to praise someone's style or choices.
渋い is an i-adjective with distinct meanings.
Forms
- Adverbial: 渋く
- Noun form: 渋さ (both astringency and refined taste)
- Related noun: 渋 (astringent juice, tannin)
Similar words
- 渋い vs. 地味: 渋い implies positive understated elegance; 地味 is neutral or negative (plain, drab)
- 渋い vs. 苦い: 渋い is astringent (puckering); 苦い is bitter
Cultural note
The aesthetic sense of 渋い is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, valuing understated elegance over flashiness. It's often used to praise older men's fashion sense, traditional crafts, or classic design choices. This meaning expanded from the original taste sensation.