Japanese word

苦い

Pronunciation

Romajinigai

Meaning

  • i-adjectivebitter

Example

このお茶は苦いです。ko no o cha wa niga i de su

This tea is bitter.

Illustration for 苦い (bitter)

More examples

ピーマンは少し苦いです。pī ma n wa suko shi niga i de su

Green peppers are a little bitter.

この料理は苦くありません。ko no ryō ri wa niga ku a ri ma se n

This dish is not bitter.

Core concept

Describes a sharp taste that is not sweet and often leaves a dry, unpleasant sensation in the mouth.

Common phrases

  • 苦い薬niga i kusuri

    bitter medicine

  • 苦い味niga i aji

    bitter taste

  • 苦いコーヒーniga i kō hī

    bitter coffee

Similar words

渋いshibui: Describes a dry, puckering taste that makes the mouth feel tight.
まずいmazui: Describes food or drink that tastes unpleasant without naming a specific flavor.
えぐいegui: Describes a harsh, strong taste that irritates the mouth or throat.

Definition in Japanese

舌に感じる味が、甘みがなく刺激的で不快なさま。shita ni kan ji ru aji ga ama mi ga na ku shi geki teki de fu kai na sa ma

Word origin

The native Japanese adjective 苦い (nigai) developed from the older adjective 苦し (nigashi, "bitter; painful"), which later took the modern -i ending.

Usage tips

  • The expression 苦い思い出 (nigai omoide, "bitter memory") extends the taste of bitterness to an unpleasant memory or experience.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word