義理堅い
ぎりがたい
i-adjective
loyal, dutiful, faithful to obligations
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 義理堅い | 義理堅くない |
| Past | 義理堅かった | 義理堅くなかった |
| て form | 義理堅くて | 義理堅くなくて |
| Adverbial | 義理堅く | — |
| Conditional ば | 義理堅ければ | 義理堅くなければ |
| Conditional たら | 義理堅かったら | 義理堅くなかったら |
1.
loyal, dutiful, faithful to obligations
Describes someone who takes social obligations, debts of gratitude, and interpersonal duties seriously and always reciprocates.
彼は義理堅い人だ。
He is a dutiful person.
義理堅いので、必ずお返しをする。
Being dutiful, she always returns favors.
義理堅い性格で、昔の恩師にも毎年年賀状を送っている。
Being faithful to obligations, he sends New Year's cards every year even to his old teachers.
Composed of 義理 (social obligation, duty) + 堅い (firm, strict). Describes someone who reliably fulfills social obligations and reciprocates kindness. This is generally a positive trait in Japanese culture.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 義理堅い人 — a dutiful person
- 義理堅い性格 — a dutiful personality
- 義理堅く付き合う — to faithfully maintain a relationship
CULTURAL NOTE:
In Japanese culture, 義理 (social obligation) is a fundamental concept governing interpersonal relationships. Being 義理堅い is considered admirable — it means one does not forget debts of gratitude and always reciprocates appropriately, whether through return gifts, favors, or maintaining relationships.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 律儀 — conscientious, faithful (broader, includes general conscientiousness)
- 誠実 — sincere, honest (focuses on honesty rather than obligation)