くどい

くどい
i-adjective
persistent; long-winded; heavy (taste)
1. persistent, repetitive, long-winded
Describes speech or behavior that is annoyingly repetitive or goes on too long, nagging or belaboring a point.
説明(せつめい)がくどい。
The explanation is long-winded.
くどいようだが、もう一度(いちど)()う。
I know I'm repeating myself, but I'll say it once more.
(おな)じことを何度(なんど)()われてくどいと(かん)じた。
Being told the same thing over and over, I felt it was annoyingly repetitive.
2. heavy, rich, overpowering (taste/color)
Describes food that is too rich or heavy, or colors/patterns that are too intense or garish.
この料理(りょうり)(あじ)がくどい。
This dish has a heavy taste.
バターがくどくて()べられない。
It's too rich with butter — I can't eat it.
(とし)()ると、くどい(あじ)料理(りょうり)苦手(にがて)になる。
As you get older, heavy-tasting food becomes harder to handle.

I-adjective. くどい → くどくない (negative) → くどく (adverbial) → くどかった (past).

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • くどいようだが: I know I'm being repetitive, but...
  • (あじ)がくどい: the taste is too rich/heavy
  • (いろ)がくどい: the colors are too garish/loud

NUANCE: Always negative. In sense 1, it implies the speaker finds the repetition annoying. In sense 2, it suggests the taste or appearance is overwhelming and unpleasant, not refined.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • しつこい: persistent, pushy (people/behavior; also food)
  • こってり: rich, heavy (food — more neutral, can be positive)