Translation and Meaning of: 強い - tsuyoi

The Japanese word 強い[つよい] is a fundamental term for anyone learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. Its main meaning is "strong" or "powerful," but its use goes far beyond the literal translation. In this article, we will explore everything from writing and pronunciation to curiosities about how this word is perceived in everyday Japanese life.

In addition to being common in everyday conversations, 強い appears in popular expressions, animes, and even in philosophical contexts. If you want to understand how to use it correctly or discover why it is so prevalent in Japanese vocabulary, keep reading. Suki Nihongo, the best online Japanese dictionary, has gathered everything you need to know about this versatile word.

Meaning and use of 強い in everyday Japanese

The basic meaning of 強い is "strong", but its use ranges from physical to emotional characteristics. A person can be 強い for having developed muscles, but also for demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges. This duality makes the word applicable in various contexts, from sports to discussions about personality.

In Japan, being 強い doesn't always have a positive connotation. Depending on the context, it can indicate excessive rigidity or a lack of flexibility. For example, saying that someone has 強い opinions suggests stubbornness, not just conviction. This nuance is important for language students, as tone and situation completely change the interpretation.

The writing and components of the kanji 強

The kanji 強 is composed of elements that reinforce its meaning. The radical 弓 (yumi) appears on the left side, while the right side brings 畺, formerly associated with the concept of strength. This combination visually represents the power of a drawn bow, a metaphor for resilience and vigor.

It is worth noting that 強 has readings beyond つよい, such as きょう in compound words. For example, 強化[きょうか] means "strengthening." Knowing these variations helps to expand vocabulary and better understand the structure of the language. To memorize, one tip is to associate the radical of the bow with the idea of something that needs strength to be tensioned.

Strong in Japanese culture and media

In anime and manga, 強い is often used to describe characters with exceptional abilities, but also those who overcome adversities. Phrases like "心が強い"[こころがつよい] - "to have a strong heart" - appear in plots that value perseverance, reflecting an important cultural ideal in Japan.

In addition to entertainment, the word is present in proverbs and traditional teachings. An example is the expression "強い者が勝つとは限らない" - "the strongest does not always win" - which shows how the concept of strength is discussed in complex ways in Japanese society. These uses reveal layers of meaning that go beyond the dictionary.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

強力 (Kyōryoku) - Powerful, strong
頑丈 (Ganjō) - Robust, resistant
堅牢 (Kenrō) - Solid, firm
剛健 (Gōken) - Healthy, strong
強靭 (Kyōjin) - Flexible and resistant
強固 (Kyōko) - Firm, secure
強烈 (Kyōretsu) - Intense, strong
強大 (Kyōdai) - great, powerful
強硬 (Kyōkō) - Tough, firm (in position)
強気 (Tsuyoki) - Confident, assertive
強制 (Kyōsei) - Forced, compulsory
強要 (Kyōyō) - Coercion, imposition
強面 (Kyōmen) - Severe expression, unfriendly face
強情 (Gōjō) - Stubborn, resolute
強風 (Kyōfū) - Strong wind

Related words

力強い

chikaraduyoi

reassuring; encouraged

強いて

shiite

by force

強いる

shiiru

to force; Force; coerce

心強い

kokoroduyoi

animator; reassuring

諦める

akirameru

to give up; to abandon

より

yori

in; outside; since; than

要求

youkyuu

request; demand; request

有力

yuuryoku

1. influence; emphasis; 2. potent

勇気

yuuki

courage; bravery; value; nerve; daring

役目

yakume

duty; business

強い

Romaji: tsuyoi
Kana: つよい
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: strong; powerful; powerful; powerful

Meaning in English: strong;powerful;mighty;potent

Definition: Strong power or force.

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How to Write in Japanese - (強い) tsuyoi

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (強い) tsuyoi:

Example Sentences - (強い) tsuyoi

See below some example sentences:

彼は強い人です。

Kare wa tsuyoi hito desu

He is a strong person.

彼 (kare) - He
は (wa) - Topic particle
強い (tsuyoi) - Strong
人 (hito) - Person
です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

彼女に強いることはできない。

Kanojo ni shiiru koto wa dekinai

I can't force her.

彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "she" in Japanese
に (ni) - a particle that indicates the target or recipient of the action, in this case, "to her"
強いる (shiiru) - a verb that means "to force" or "to impose"
こと (koto) - a particle that indicates an action or event, in this case, "the action of forcing"
は (wa) - a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "about the action of forcing"
できない (dekinai) - a verb that means "to be unable to do something"

打ち消しの力は強いです。

Uchikeshi no chikara wa tsuyoi desu

The power of denial is strong.

The power of cancellation is strong.

打ち消し (uchikeshi) - means "deny" or "cancel"
の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
力 (chikara) - means "strength" or "power"
は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
強い (tsuyoi) - Adjective that means "strong" or "powerful"
です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form

男は強い性格を持っています。

Otoko wa tsuyoi seikaku o motte imasu

Men have strong personalities.

The man has a strong personality.

男 - means "man" in Japanese.
は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "man."
強い - adjective that means "strong".
性格 - noun that means "personality".
を - object particle that indicates that "personality" is the direct object of the sentence.
持っています - verb meaning "to have".

私は彼女のような強い女性に憧れています。

Watashi wa kanojo no you na tsuyoi josei ni akogarete imasu

I admire strong women like her.

I long for a strong woman like her.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
彼女 (kanojo) - personal pronoun meaning "she"
の (no) - particle indicating possession, in this case "hers"
ような (youna) - expression meaning "like" or "similar to"
強い (tsuyoi) - adjective meaning "strong"
女性 (josei) - noun meaning "woman"
に (ni) - particle indicating the target of the action, in this case "to"
憧れています (akogareteimasu) - verb meaning "to admire" or "to have admiration for", conjugated in the present tense and polite