Japanese word

蒸し暑い

Pronunciation

Romajimushiatsui

Meaning

  • i-adjectivemuggy

Example

今日は蒸し暑いです。kyō wa mu shi atsu i de su

It is muggy today.

Illustration for 蒸し暑い (muggy)

More examples

梅雨の時期は、蒸し暑くなります。tsuyu no ji ki wa mu shi atsu ku na ri ma su

It gets muggy during the rainy season.

Core concept

Muggy describes heat made oppressive by moisture in the air, often making the body feel sticky.

Common phrases

  • 蒸し暑い夏mu shi atsu i natsu

    a muggy summer

  • 蒸し暑い日mu shi atsu i hi

    a muggy day

  • 蒸し暑い夜mu shi atsu i yoru

    a muggy night

Similar words

暑苦しいatsukurushii: Describes heat that feels oppressive because the air is stuffy.

Definition in Japanese

空気中の水分が多く、暑さが肌にまとわりつくように感じられるさま。kū ki chū no sui bun ga ō ku atsu sa ga hada ni ma to wa ri tsu ku yō ni kan ji ra re ru sa ma

Word origin

蒸し暑い (mushiatsui) is a native compound of 蒸す (musu, "to steam") and 暑い (atsui, "hot"); 蒸し (mushi) adds the sense of steamy, trapped heat.

Usage tips

  • English uses muggy for hot, humid weather that feels uncomfortable, while humid alone can describe moisture without the same oppressive heat.

Other meanings

  • humidi-adjective
  • sultryi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 蒸し暑さmushiatsusamugginessnoun

Word lists with this word