重苦しい
おもぐるしい
adjective (i)
heavy; oppressive; gloomy
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 重苦しい | 重苦しくない |
| Past | 重苦しかった | 重苦しくなかった |
| て form | 重苦しくて | 重苦しくなくて |
| Adverbial | 重苦しく | — |
| Conditional ば | 重苦しければ | 重苦しくなければ |
| Conditional たら | 重苦しかったら | 重苦しくなかったら |
1.
heavy; oppressive; gloomy; suffocating
Describes an atmosphere, mood, or feeling that feels weighed down and uncomfortable. Can refer to the air, a silence, or an emotional state.
重苦しい沈黙が続いた。
A heavy silence continued.
会議室には重苦しい空気が漂っていた。
An oppressive atmosphere hung over the conference room.
梅雨の時期は重苦しい天気が続いて、気分も沈みがちだ。
During the rainy season, the oppressive weather continues and one tends to feel down.
A compound adjective from 重い (heavy) + 苦しい (painful, suffocating). Describes atmospheres and moods that feel weighed down and oppressive.
FORMS:
- Adverbial: 重苦しく
- Noun form: 重苦しさ
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 重苦しい空気: oppressive atmosphere
- 重苦しい沈黙: heavy silence
- 重苦しい雰囲気: gloomy mood
- 重苦しい天気: oppressive weather
REGISTER:
Literary and written. Common in novels, essays, and descriptive writing. Less common in casual conversation, where 暗い雰囲気 or 重い空気 would be more natural.