Japanese word

苦しい

Pronunciation

Romajikurushii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivehard

Example

この運動は苦しいです。ko no un dō wa kuru shi i de su

This exercise is hard.

Illustration for 苦しい (hard)

More examples

階段を急いで上ると、苦しくなります。kai dan o iso i de nobo ru to kuru shi ku na ri ma su

When I rush up the stairs, I find it hard to breathe.

Core concept

Describes a condition that places a heavy burden on the body or mind and is hard to endure.

Common phrases

  • 息が苦しいiki ga kuru shi i

    have trouble breathing

  • 生活が苦しいsei katsu ga kuru shi i

    be in financial difficulty

  • 苦しい思いkuru shi i omo i

    painful experience

Similar words

つらいtsurai: Describes a painful or distressing condition that is hard to bear.
きついkitsui: Describes a condition that causes strong physical or mental strain.
しんどいshindoi: Describes an exhausting condition that is hard to endure, especially in casual speech.

Definition in Japanese

体や心に大きな負担がかかり、つらく感じるさま。karada ya kokoro ni ō ki na fu tan ga ka ka ri tsu ra ku kan ji ru sa ma

Word origin

The native Japanese adjective 苦しい (kurushii) is related to 苦しむ (kurushimu, "to suffer"), linking physical hardship with suffering.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 苦しいです (kurushii desu, "it is hard") commonly reports bodily strain after exercise, whereas 難しい (muzukashii, "difficult") usually describes a task rather than the strain it causes.

Other meanings

  • painfuli-adjective
  • difficulti-adjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word