Translation and Meaning of: 諄い - kudoi

If you have ever studied Japanese or watched an anime carefully, you have probably come across the word 諄い (くどい). It appears in everyday situations and even in dialogues of dramas, but its meaning goes beyond a simple translation. In this article, we will explore what this expression really means, how it is used in Japan, and why understanding its cultural context is essential for those who want to speak Japanese naturally.

In addition to uncovering the meaning of くどい, let's analyze its origin, how the Japanese perceive it in their daily lives, and in which situations it is most commonly used. If you've ever found an explanation repetitive or a dish with excessive seasoning, this word might be the key to describing those feelings in Japanese. Let's dive into the details so you can use it with confidence.

Meaning and usage of 諄い (くどい)

The word くどい is an adjective that describes something excessively repetitive, insistent, or even nauseating. It can be used to criticize a person who repeats the same thing several times, a dish with too strong a flavor, or even a design overloaded with unnecessary details. In English, it is close to terms like "tiresome," "repetitive," or "exaggerated," depending on the context.

A classic example is when someone gives overly long explanations without getting to the point. The Japanese might say: 説明がくどい (setsumei ga kudoi) to indicate that the explanation is being tedious. Another common use is in cooking: a very heavy sauce or a dish with overwhelming flavors can be called くどい, indicating that it lacks balance.

Origin and writing of the kanji 諄い

The kanji 諄 is composed of the radical 言 (word) and the component 享, which suggests the idea of something prolonged or insistent. This combination reinforces the sense of "talking too much" or "being repetitive." Although it is the official kanji, Japanese people often write くどい in hiragana in daily life, as the character is considered complex and uncommon.

Interestingly, くどい also has a historical connection to the verb くどく, which used to mean "to persuade" or "to insist". Over time, the meaning evolved into the current negative connotation, associated with something that becomes tiresome due to repetition. This type of semantic change is common in many languages, including Japanese.

Cultural context and frequency of use

In Japan, where communication tends to be indirect and values subtlety, being くどい is seen as a social failure. Long explanations or repetitive requests may be interpreted as a lack of consideration for the other person's time. Therefore, this word frequently appears in criticisms of political speeches, advertisements, and even in restaurant reviews.

Although it is not an extremely rare word, くどい is also not among the most commonly used in everyday language. It appears more in specific contexts, such as discussions about media, food, or social behavior. In animes and dramas, it is common to hear it in scenes where one character criticizes another for being too insistent or detail-oriented.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 単調 (Tanchou) - Monotonous
• 退屈 (Taikutsu) - Boring
• つまらない (Tsumaranai) - Lame
• くどい (Kudoi) - Excessive; tiring
• 重苦しい (Omokurushii) - Heavy; oppressive
• 意義のない (Igi no nai) - Without meaning
• 陳腐 (Chinpu) - Trivial; cliché
• 平凡 (Heibon) - Common; ordinary
• ありふれた (Arifureta) - Banale; common
• だるい (Darui) - Lazy; tiring
• うんざりする (Unzari suru) - To be fed up; to be saturated
• うんざりさせる (Unzari saseru) - Cause fatigue; bore
• 退屈させる (Taikutsu saseru) - To cause boredom

諄い

Romaji: kudoi
Kana: くどい
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n2, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: verbose; Importunate; heavy (flavor)

Meaning in English: verbose;importunate;heavy (taste)

Definition: Say things directly, without hesitation, without presenting your own ideas.

Example Sentences - (諄い) kudoi

See below some example sentences:

この仕事は諄いです。

Kono shigoto wa yowai desu

This job is tedious.

This work is verbal.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 仕事 - noun that means "work"
• は - topic particle indicating that the preceding noun is the topic of the sentence
• 諄い - adjective meaning "monotonous" or "repetitive"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form