Japanese Conversation · Level 70
75 words
Japanese word
強いて
Pronunciation
Romajishiite
Meaning
- adverbif pressed
Example
強いて言えば、青が好きです。shi i te i e ba ao ga su ki de su
If pressed, I would say I like blue.
More examples
強いて一つ選ぶなら、こちらの方法がよいです。shi i te hito tsu era bu na ra ko chi ra no hō hō ga yo i de su
If I had to choose one, this method would be better.
Core concept
Presents an action or opinion as something offered under pressure rather than as the speaker's first choice.
Common phrases
強いて言うならshi i te yū na ra
if I had to say
強いて挙げればshi i te a ge re ba
if I had to name one
Similar words
あえてaete: To choose to do something deliberately, often despite a reason not to.
Definition in Japanese
困難を押し切ったり求められたりしてあえて行うさま。kon nan o o shi ki tta ri moto me ra re ta ri shi te a e te okona u sa ma
Word origin
強いて (shiite) comes from 強いる (shiiru, "to force") through its te-form, which gives the adverb a sense of being pushed to act or speak.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, 強いて言えば (shīte ieba) often lets a speaker add a minor preference without presenting it as a firm claim.
Other meanings
- forciblyadverb