窮 屈(きゅうくつ)

きゅうくつ

na-adjective

cramped; tight; constrained; uncomfortable

1. cramped; tight

Physically lacking space; too small or narrow.

この靴(くつ)は窮屈(きゅうくつ)だ。

These shoes are too tight.

窮屈(きゅうくつ)な姿勢(しせい)で座(すわ)っていた。

I was sitting in an uncomfortable position.

五人(ごにん)で乗(の)ると車(くるま)の中(なか)が窮屈(きゅうくつ)だ。

The car is cramped when five people ride in it.

2. constrained; uncomfortable; stiff

Feeling restricted or unable to relax, often due to social formality.

規則(きそく)が多(おお)くて窮屈(きゅうくつ)に感(かん)じる。

I feel constrained because there are too many rules.

上司(じょうし)がいると窮屈(きゅうくつ)で楽(たの)しめない。

When my boss is around, I feel constrained and can't enjoy myself.

窮屈(きゅうくつ)な社会(しゃかい)のルールに縛(しば)られたくない。

I don't want to be bound by the restrictive rules of society.

Forms

窮屈(きゅうくつ)な + noun (adnominal)
窮屈(きゅうくつ)に (adverbial)
窮屈(きゅうくつ)だ (predicative)

窮(きゅう) (to be in difficulty) + 屈(くつ) (to bend)

Usage

Physical sense

窮屈(きゅうくつ)な部屋(へや) (cramped room)
窮屈(きゅうくつ)な服(ふく) (tight clothing)

Psychological sense

窮屈(きゅうくつ)な雰囲気(ふんいき) (uncomfortable atmosphere)
窮屈(きゅうくつ)な生活(せいかつ) (constrained lifestyle)
窮屈(きゅうくつ)な関係(かんけい) (stiff relationship)

Similar words

ゆったり - spacious, relaxed

Related Words

Antonym: ゆったり (spacious, relaxed)

Compare: 狭隘(きょうあい) (narrow)

Compare: 手狭(てぜま)になる (to become cramped)

general

Added 2026.1.18 18:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02

06500/06869_kyuukutsu