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A2 adjective #8,000 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

にがい

nigai Top 8,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces にがい en 30 secondes

Explication にがい in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 'nigai' as a basic taste. It is one of the essential adjectives for describing food and drink, alongside 'oishii' (delicious), 'amai' (sweet), and 'karai' (spicy). You will mostly use it to talk about coffee or medicine. At this stage, focus on the basic 'Subject wa Adjective desu' pattern. For example, 'Kōhī wa nigai desu' (Coffee is bitter). You should also learn the negative form 'nigakunai' (not bitter), which is useful when you are surprised that a food you expected to be bitter actually tastes good. Keep it simple and focus on the physical sensation of taste.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'nigai' in more varied sentence structures. You should be able to conjugate it into the past tense ('nigakatta') and use it to modify nouns directly ('nigai kusuri'). You will also encounter the word in everyday cultural contexts, such as describing 'goya' (bitter melon) or strong Japanese tea. At this level, you might start hearing 'nigai' used to describe a person's expression ('nigai kao'), though you might not use it yourself yet. You should also understand the difference between 'nigai' and 'karai' (spicy/salty), as this is a common point of confusion for beginners. Using the adverbial form 'nigaku' with verbs like 'suru' (to make) or 'naru' (to become) is also a key A2 skill.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'nigai' metaphorically. This includes phrases like 'nigai omoide' (bitter memories) or 'nigai keiken' (bitter experiences). You are moving beyond just the tongue and into the heart. You should also be able to use the 'te-form' ('nigakute') to explain reasons, such as 'Nigakute nomenai' (I can't drink it because it's bitter). Understanding the noun form 'nigami' (bitterness) is also important at this stage, as it allows you to discuss flavors more abstractly. You'll start to notice 'nigai' in more complex media like news reports or simple novels, often in the context of sports defeats or social setbacks.

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At the B2 level, you can use 'nigai' with nuance. You understand the specific cultural weight of 'nigawarai' (a bitter smile) and can identify when someone is using it to mask embarrassment or frustration. You can distinguish between 'nigai' and 'shibui' (astringent) in a culinary context and explain why a certain tea is one but not the other. Your vocabulary expands to include related words like 'horonigai' (bittersweet) and 'egui' (acrid). You can participate in discussions about 'adult tastes' and the Japanese appreciation for 'nigami' in seasonal mountain vegetables. Your usage of 'nigai' in writing becomes more descriptive, using it to set a mood or describe a character's internal state.

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At the C1 level, 'nigai' becomes a tool for literary and professional expression. You can use it to describe complex social phenomena, such as a 'nigai ketsudan' (a bitter decision) made by a leader. You understand its use in proverbs like 'Ryōyaku wa kuchi ni nigai' and can use such idioms naturally in conversation to add depth. You are aware of the historical and etymological roots of the word and how it has shaped Japanese aesthetic values. You can analyze the use of 'nigai' in classical and modern literature, noting how it symbolizes the harsh realities of life or the loss of innocence. Your ability to use the word is indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the subtle social cues it implies.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'nigai' and all its derivatives. you can discuss the psychological aspects of 'nigami' in Japanese gastronomy and its relation to the concept of 'wabi-sabi.' You can use the word in highly formal or academic contexts, such as discussing the 'nigai rekishi' (bitter history) of a region or a conflict. You are sensitive to the most subtle nuances, such as the difference between a 'nigai kao' and a 'shibui kao,' and can use these terms to describe complex human emotions with precision. Your mastery extends to creative writing, where you can use 'nigai' to create evocative metaphors that resonate with native speakers on a deep cultural and emotional level.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

にがい en 30 secondes

Nigai means 'bitter' and is an i-adjective used for taste and emotions.
Commonly used for coffee, medicine, and bitter melon (goya).
Metaphorically describes 'bitter memories' or 'bitter smiles' (nigawarai).
Conjugates to nigakunai (negative) and nigakatta (past).

The Japanese word にがい (苦い - nigai) primarily describes the taste of bitterness, one of the five basic tastes. In a literal sense, it is used for substances like coffee, dark chocolate, medicine, and certain vegetables. However, much like in English, the term extends far beyond the tongue, touching upon emotional states, facial expressions, and life experiences. When you encounter something that leaves a harsh, unpleasant, or difficult lingering feeling, 'nigai' is the adjective of choice. It is an i-adjective, meaning it conjugates following standard rules (nigakunai, nigakatta, etc.), making it a fundamental part of a beginner's vocabulary that remains relevant through advanced philosophical discussions.

Literal Taste: Used for coffee (kōhī), medicine (kusuri), and bitter melon (goya). It specifically targets the back of the tongue where bitter receptors are most active.

このコーヒーはとてもにがいです。 (This coffee is very bitter.)

Metaphorically, 'nigai' represents experiences that are difficult to swallow. A 'nigai omoide' (bitter memory) isn't just a bad memory; it's one that carries a sense of regret, embarrassment, or harsh reality. It is frequently used to describe a 'nigai keiken' (bitter experience), such as a sports loss or a failed business venture, implying that while the experience was unpleasant, it was also potent and perhaps educational. This duality—the pain of the taste and the depth of the experience—is central to understanding how Japanese speakers perceive the world through this word.

Facial Expressions: 'Nigai kao' refers to a scowl or a look of displeasure. It suggests that the person looks as if they just tasted something foul.

彼はにがい顔をして私を見た。 (He looked at me with a bitter expression.)

Furthermore, the word appears in the context of 'nigawarai' (a bitter smile), which is a forced or wry smile used when one is in a difficult or awkward situation and can't help but laugh at the irony or misfortune. This cultural nuance shows that 'nigai' isn't just about rejection; it's about the complex social navigation of unpleasantness. Whether you are describing a burnt piece of toast or a crushing defeat in a tournament, 'nigai' provides the sensory bridge between physical sensation and emotional reality.

Social Context: In Japanese culinary culture, 'nigami' (the noun form, bitterness) is often prized in seasonal vegetables like 'fukinoto' (butterbud stalks) during spring, representing the 'taste of the earth.'

Using にがい correctly requires an understanding of i-adjective conjugation. Unlike na-adjectives, 'nigai' changes its ending to reflect tense and polarity. For example, if you want to say something is 'bitterly' cold or 'bitterly' anything else, you would use the adverbial form nigaku. However, 'nigai' is rarely used for weather; it stays firmly in the realm of taste and emotional weight. Let's look at the basic patterns of usage.

Present Tense: To describe something currently bitter: 'Kono kusuri wa nigai' (This medicine is bitter). In polite speech, add 'desu'.

良薬は口ににがい。 (Good medicine is bitter to the mouth - A common proverb.)

When modifying a noun directly, 'nigai' precedes the noun without any connecting particle. Examples include 'nigai kōhī' (bitter coffee) or 'nigai keiken' (bitter experience). If you want to say 'it wasn't bitter,' you replace the final 'i' with 'kunai' for the present negative: 'nigakunai'. For the past tense, it becomes 'nigakatta'. This consistency makes it easy to incorporate into various sentence structures once you master the base rules of i-adjectives.

Past Negative: 'Nigakunakatta' (It wasn't bitter). Used when reflecting on a meal or a past situation that wasn't as bad as expected.

In more complex sentences, 'nigai' can be used with the particle 'te' to connect ideas. 'Nigakute nomenai' (It's so bitter I can't drink it). Here, the 'i' changes to 'kute'. This is a very common way to express cause and effect. You will also see it combined with verbs like 'kanjiru' (to feel). 'Nigaku kanjiru' means 'to feel/perceive it as bitter.' This is useful when the bitterness is subjective or unexpected.

失敗はにがい味がする。 (Failure has a bitter taste.)

Comparison: 'Kono choko wa ano choko yori nigai' (This chocolate is more bitter than that chocolate).

You will hear にがい in a variety of everyday settings in Japan. One of the most common places is at a café. While many people enjoy the 'nigami' (bitterness) of coffee, some might complain that a particular roast is 'nigai' beyond their preference. Similarly, in a Japanese pharmacy (yakkyoku), a pharmacist might warn a parent that a child's medicine is 'nigai' to prepare them for the child's likely resistance to taking it. Bitterness is a significant part of the Japanese palate, especially with traditional vegetables.

The Izakaya Context: Ordering 'Goya Champuru' (Okinawan bitter melon stir-fry). You'll often hear people comment on the 'nigami' as being refreshing or 'healthy' (karada ni ii).

このゴーヤ、全然にがくないね！ (This bitter melon isn't bitter at all, is it?)

In Japanese media, such as anime or drama, 'nigai' is frequently used in emotional climaxes. Characters might reflect on a 'nigai omoide' (bitter memory) of a lost love or a failed dream. It carries a heavy, nostalgic weight in these contexts. You might also hear the term 'nigawarai' (bitter smile) in narrations or stage directions, describing a character who is smiling through their teeth because they are in an awkward position. This is a very specific social cue in Japan where direct confrontation is often avoided.

Furthermore, 'nigai' appears in literature and poetry to symbolize the harshness of reality. It contrasts with 'amai' (sweet), which represents naivety or easy success. A 'nigai' person might be someone who has been hardened by life. In business, a 'nigai kao' from a boss usually means you've made a mistake or presented a plan that they find difficult to accept. Understanding these nuances helps you 'read the room' in Japanese social situations.

News & Journalism: Reporters use 'nigai keiken' when interviewing politicians or public figures about past scandals or failed policies.

彼はその失敗をにがい教訓とした。 (He took that failure as a bitter lesson.)

For English speakers, the most common mistake is confusing にがい (nigai) with other taste-related adjectives, specifically からい (karai - spicy/salty) or しぶい (shibui - astringent). In English, 'bitter' is sometimes used loosely to mean 'harsh,' but in Japanese, these distinctions are quite sharp. Another mistake is using 'nigai' to describe weather (bitter cold), which in Japanese is usually 'hageshii samusa' or 'kibishii samusa'.

Nigai vs. Karai: 'Karai' refers to heat from chili or excess salt. 'Nigai' is the taste of coffee grounds or medicine. Do not use 'nigai' for spicy curry!

❌ このカレーはにがいです。 (This curry is bitter - unless it actually tastes like medicine!)

Another nuance is 'shibui'. 'Shibui' describes the mouth-puckering sensation of tannins found in strong green tea or unripe persimmons. While 'nigai' and 'shibui' often overlap in foods like tea, 'shibui' is the correct term for that dry, astringent feeling. Using 'nigai' for an unripe persimmon would sound slightly 'off' to a native speaker. Furthermore, be careful with the word 'amai' (sweet). In Japanese, 'amai' can mean 'naive,' while 'nigai' means 'harsh/experienced.' Confusing these metaphorical uses can lead to misunderstandings about a person's character.

Finally, learners sometimes over-apply 'nigai' to any negative experience. While it works for 'bitter memories,' it doesn't work for 'a bitter person' in the sense of someone who is grumpy or mean (that would be 'fukigen' or 'ijiwaru'). 'Nigai' describes the *result* of an experience or the *look* on someone's face, not necessarily their permanent personality trait. Understanding the boundaries of 'nigai' will help you sound more natural and precise.

Nigai vs. Suppai: 'Suppai' is sour (like a lemon). Some medicines are sour, but most are 'nigai'. Make sure you know which one you're complaining about!

While にがい is the standard word for 'bitter,' several other terms can offer more precision depending on the context. Understanding these alternatives will elevate your Japanese from basic to nuanced. For instance, when talking about the *degree* of bitterness or a specific *type* of harshness, other words come into play.

しぶい (Shibui): Astringent or puckery. Used for tea, wine, and persimmons. Also means 'cool/refined' in a mature way when describing a person's style.
えぐい (Egui): Harsh, acrid, or throat-irritating bitterness (like raw bamboo shoots). In modern slang, it also means 'gross' or 'intense/amazing'.

このお茶は少ししぶいですね。 (This tea is a bit astringent, isn't it?)

If you want to talk about the *concept* of bitterness as a flavor profile, use the noun にがみ (nigami). This is what food critics use when they praise the 'complex bitterness' of a craft beer or dark chocolate. Another related word is ほろ苦い (horonigai), which means 'bittersweet.' This is a very popular word in Japan, often used to describe the taste of matcha desserts or the feeling of a first love that didn't work out.

For emotional bitterness, you might use つらい (tsurai - painful/tough) or くるしい (kurushii - agonizing/suffocating) if the feeling is more about suffering than regret. However, 'nigai' remains the best word for that specific 'aftertaste' of a bad situation. When describing a person's character, instead of 'nigai,' you would use 厳格 (genkaku - strict) or 冷淡 (reitan - cold/indifferent) to describe what English speakers might call a 'bitter' personality.

Comparison Summary: Nigai = Bitter (Coffee/Medicine). Shibui = Astringent (Tea/Persimmon). Egui = Acrid (Raw veg). Horonigai = Bittersweet.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In ancient Japan, 'nigai' was sometimes used to describe things that were 'strong' or 'intense' in a way that wasn't strictly about taste, but this usage has narrowed over time.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ni.ɡa.i/

US /ni.ɡa.i/

Japanese has pitch accent rather than stress. In standard Tokyo Japanese, 'ni-ga-i' starts low, rises on 'ga', and stays high on 'i'.

Rime avec

nagai (long) takai (high/expensive) hikui (low - though vowel differs, ending is same) atsui (hot) kurai (dark) amai (sweet) itai (painful) semai (narrow)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'ga' as 'ja'.
Stressing the first syllable too heavily like English.
Mixing it up with 'nagai' (long).
Pronouncing 'i' like 'ai' (eye).
Failing to pronounce the final 'i' clearly.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The kanji 苦 is common but has many readings (ku, nigai, kurushii).

Écriture 3/5

Writing 苦 requires correct stroke order for the 'grass' radical.

Expression orale 1/5

Easy to pronounce with no difficult sounds.

Écoute 2/5

Can be confused with 'nagai' (long) in fast speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

あまい (Sweet) からい (Spicy/Salty) おいしい (Delicious) コーヒー (Coffee) くすり (Medicine)

Apprends ensuite

しぶい (Astringent) すっぱい (Sour) 苦しむ (To suffer) 苦手 (Weak at) ほろ苦い (Bittersweet)

Avancé

苦渋 (Kujū) 苦々しい (Niganigashii) 苦境 (Kukyō) 苦笑 (Kushō)

Grammaire à connaître

I-Adjective Conjugation

Nigai -> Nigakunai -> Nigakatta

Adverbial Form (-ku)

Nigaku kanjiru (Feel bitter)

Te-form for Reason

Nigakute nomenai (Can't drink because it's bitter)

Noun Formation (-mi)

Nigami (Bitterness)

Too much (-sugiru)

Nigasugiru (Too bitter)

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Exemples par niveau

このコーヒーはにがいです。

This coffee is bitter.

Basic 'desu' structure.

にがいお茶を飲みます。

I drink bitter tea.

Modifying a noun directly.

薬はにがくないです。

The medicine is not bitter.

Negative form 'kunai'.

これはにがいですか？

Is this bitter?

Question form with 'ka'.

にがいチョコが好きです。

I like bitter chocolate.

Using 'suki' with an adjective-noun phrase.

あの野菜はにがいです。

That vegetable is bitter.

Demonstrative 'ano'.

にがい、にがい！

Bitter, bitter!

Repetition for emphasis.

お父さんはにがいコーヒーが好きです。

My father likes bitter coffee.

Topic marker 'wa' and subject 'ga'.

昨日飲んだ薬はとてもにがかったです。

The medicine I took yesterday was very bitter.

Past tense 'katta'.

にがくないコーヒーをください。

Please give me coffee that isn't bitter.

Negative adjective modifying a noun.

にがい食べ物は体にいいです。

Bitter foods are good for the body.

Adjective-noun phrase as a subject.

彼はにがい顔をしました。

He made a bitter face.

Describing an expression.

このお茶は少しにがすぎます。

This tea is a little too bitter.

Using 'sugiru' (too much) with adjectives.

砂糖を入れると、にがくなくなります。

If you put sugar in, it stops being bitter.

Adverbial 'ku' + 'naru'.

にがい経験から学びました。

I learned from a bitter experience.

Metaphorical use at a basic level.

そんなににがくないですよ。

It's not that bitter, you know.

Emphasis particle 'yo'.

薬がにがくて、全部飲めませんでした。

The medicine was so bitter that I couldn't drink it all.

Te-form for reason/cause.

それは私にとってにがい思い出です。

That is a bitter memory for me.

'Nippotte' (for me) with an adjective.

負けた後は、いつもにがい味がします。

After losing, it always tastes bitter.

Metaphorical 'taste'.

にがいけれど、おいしい野菜です。

It's bitter, but it's a delicious vegetable.

Conjunction 'keredo' (but).

コーヒーのにがみが好きです。

I like the bitterness of coffee.

Noun form 'nigami'.

彼はにがい顔をして黙り込んだ。

He made a bitter face and fell silent.

Combining adjective-noun and verb.

このチョコは大人に人気のにがい味だ。

This chocolate has a bitter taste popular with adults.

Relative clause style.

失敗はにがいが、役に立つ。

Failure is bitter, but useful.

Contrast 'ga'.

彼は苦虫を噛み潰したようなにがい顔をした。

He made a bitter face as if he had crushed a bitter bug in his mouth.

Idiomatic expression with 'nigai'.

それは彼にとって、一生忘れられないにがい経験となった。

For him, that became a bitter experience he could never forget for his whole life.

Complex noun phrase modification.

初恋はほろにがい味がするものだ。

First love is something that has a bittersweet taste.

Using 'horonigai' (bittersweet).

良薬は口ににがしという言葉を知っていますか？

Do you know the saying 'Good medicine is bitter to the mouth'?

Quoting a proverb (archaic form 'nigashi').

そのニュースを聞いて、彼はにがい笑いを浮かべた。

Hearing that news, he gave a bitter smile.

Verb 'ukaberu' (to float/show an expression).

ビールのにがみが、脂っこい料理によく合う。

The bitterness of the beer goes well with greasy food.

Discussing culinary pairings.

にがければにがいほど、効くような気がする。

The bitterer it is, the more I feel it's working.

Conditional 'ba... hodo' pattern.

現実は甘いものではなく、時ににがいものだ。

Reality is not sweet; sometimes it is bitter.

Philosophical contrast.

かつてのライバルと再会し、にがい沈黙が流れた。

Reunited with a former rival, a bitter silence ensued.

Using 'nigai' to describe an atmosphere (silence).

彼は自らの過ちに対し、にがい後悔の念を抱いている。

He harbors a sense of bitter regret for his own mistakes.

Formal expression 'no nen o idaku'.

この作品には、人生のにがみが凝縮されている。

In this work, the bitterness of life is condensed.

Abstract noun 'nigami' in literary context.

にがい批判を真摯に受け止める必要がある。

It is necessary to take bitter criticism seriously.

Professional/Political context.

その条約の締結は、国民にとってにがい決断だった。

The signing of that treaty was a bitter decision for the citizens.

Describing collective national sentiment.

都会の生活は、彼ににがい現実を突きつけた。

City life thrust a bitter reality upon him.

Idiomatic 'genjitsu o tsukitsukeru'.

にがみ走ったいい男、という表現が彼には似合う。

The expression 'a ruggedly handsome man' (lit. a man with bitterness running through) suits him.

Specific idiom 'nigamibashitta'.

成功の裏には、数々のにがい敗北があったはずだ。

Behind success, there must have been numerous bitter defeats.

Using 'hazu da' for logical deduction.

政治の世界におけるにがい権力闘争が、ようやく幕を閉じた。

The bitter power struggle in the world of politics finally came to an end.

High-level political vocabulary.

彼はにがい過去を清算し、新たな一歩を踏み出した。

He settled his bitter past and took a new step forward.

Abstract verb 'seisan suru'.

その味覚の奥に潜むにがみこそが、この料理の真髄である。

The bitterness lurking deep within that flavor is the very essence of this dish.

Emphatic 'koso' and 'shinzui'.

にがい皮肉を込めて、彼はその演説を締めくくった。

He concluded his speech with a touch of bitter irony.

Describing rhetorical style.

人生の酸いも甘いも、そしてにがいも噛み分けてきた老人の言葉だ。

These are the words of an old man who has tasted the sour, the sweet, and the bitter of life.

Idiom 'sui mo amai mo kamiwakeru' expanded.

にがみのあるユーモアは、時に真実を鋭く射抜く。

Bitter humor sometimes pierces the truth sharply.

Abstract subject with metaphorical verb.

その敗北は、彼ににがい自省を促すこととなった。

That defeat prompted him to engage in bitter self-reflection.

Causative-like structure 'unagasu koto to natta'.

にがい記憶を美化することなく、ありのままに受け入れる。

Accepting bitter memories as they are, without beautifying them.

Complex adverbial phrase.

Collocations courantes

にがいコーヒー

にがい薬

にがい思い出

にがい経験

にがい顔

にがい笑い

にがい勝利

にがい沈黙

にがい味がする

にがい教訓

Phrases Courantes

苦虫を噛み潰したよう

— To look extremely sour or displeased, like you've bitten a bug.

彼は苦虫を噛み潰したような顔で座っていた。

良薬は口に苦し

— Good medicine tastes bitter. Good advice is hard to hear.

先生の言葉は厳しいが、良薬は口に苦しだ。

苦い思いをする

— To have a bitter/bad experience.

投資で苦い思いをした。

苦い汁を吸わされる

— To be forced to taste bitterness (to be treated poorly).

ライバル会社に苦い汁を吸わされた。

苦い顔をされる

— To have someone make a bitter face at you (to be disapproved of).

遅刻して先生に苦い顔をされた。

人生の苦み

— The bitterness of life (hardships).

彼は人生の苦みを知っている。

苦いお茶

— Bitter tea (often refers to strong green tea).

にがいお茶は目が覚める。

苦い別れ

— A bitter parting/breakup.

二人はにがい別れを告げた。

苦い敗北

— A bitter defeat.

昨日の試合はにがい敗北だった。

苦い真実

— The bitter truth.

彼ににがい真実を伝えなければならない。

Souvent confondu avec

にがい vs からい (Karai)

Karai is spicy or salty. Nigai is bitter like coffee.

にがい vs しぶい (Shibui)

Shibui is astringent (mouth-puckering). Nigai is just the flavor.

にがい vs ながい (Nagai)

Nagai means 'long'. Sounds similar to 'nigai'.

Expressions idiomatiques

"苦虫を噛み潰す"

— To look extremely disgruntled or disgusted.

彼は苦虫を噛み潰したような顔をしている。

Common

"良薬は口に苦し"

— Constructive criticism is often unpleasant to hear.

彼の指摘はにがいが、良薬は口に苦しだ。

Proverb

"忠言は耳に逆らえども行いに利あり"

— Good advice is hard to hear but beneficial (similar to nigai).

にがい忠言を聞くべきだ。

Formal

"苦い顔をする"

— To show displeasure openly.

父は私の成績を見て、にがい顔をした。

Common

"苦い汁を舐める"

— To experience hardship or defeat.

若いうちに苦い汁を舐めるのもいい経験だ。

Literary

"苦い経験を噛みしめる"

— To reflect deeply on a bitter failure.

彼は一人でにがい経験を噛みしめていた。

Literary

"苦み走る"

— To be ruggedly handsome (usually for men).

彼はにがみ走ったいい男だ。

Specific

"苦い思いをさせる"

— To cause someone to have a bad experience.

彼にはにがい思いをさせてしまった。

Neutral

"苦い後味"

— A bitter aftertaste (physical or emotional).

その事件は社会ににがい後味を残した。

Common

"甘いも苦いも"

— The ups and downs of life (sweet and bitter).

人生の甘いも苦いも知っている。

Common

Facile à confondre

にがい vs 辛い (Karai/Tsurai)

Same kanji can be used for 'tsurai' (painful).

Nigai is a taste; Tsurai is an emotional or physical hardship. While they both mean 'bitter' in English metaphors, they are distinct words.

人生が辛い (Life is hard) vs 人生が苦い (Life is bitter/regretful).

にがい vs 渋い (Shibui)

Both used for tea and mature tastes.

Shibui is the dry feeling on the tongue; Nigai is the actual bitter flavor profile. Shibui can also mean 'cool/mature.'

渋いお茶 vs 苦いお茶.

にがい vs えぐい (Egui)

Both describe harsh tastes.

Egui is a throat-irritating, acrid taste often found in raw plants. Nigai is a standard flavor.

タケノコがえぐい。

にがい vs 酸っぱい (Suppai)

Both are 'strong' tastes children dislike.

Suppai is sour (acidic). Nigai is bitter (alkaline/tannic).

レモンはすっぱい。

にがい vs 重い (Omoi)

Both used for heavy/difficult memories.

Omoi means 'heavy' in weight or serious in mood. Nigai implies regret or a harsh 'aftertaste' of an event.

重い話 vs 苦い思い出。

Structures de phrases

Noun はにがいです。

このお茶はにがいです。

Noun はにがくないです。

このチョコはにがくないです。

にがい Noun

にがい薬を飲みました。

にがくて、Sentence

にがくて、食べられません。

にがい思い出/経験

それはにがい経験でした。

にがい顔をする

彼はにがい顔をしました。

Noun のにがみ

コーヒーのにがみが好きです。

にがい沈黙/後悔

にがい沈黙が続いた。

Famille de mots

Noms

苦み (Nigami - Bitterness)

苦渋 (Kujū - Bitterness/Agony)

苦笑い (Nigawarai - Bitter smile)

Verbes

苦しむ (Kurushimu - To suffer)

苦しめる (Kurushimeru - To torment)

Adjectifs

苦しい (Kurushii - Painful/Distressing)

ほろ苦い (Horonigai - Bittersweet)

苦々しい (Niganigashii - Loathsome)

Apparenté

苦労 (Kurō - Hardship)

苦手 (Nigate - Weak at/Dislike)

苦心 (Kushin - Great effort)

苦痛 (Kutsū - Pain)

苦境 (Kukyō - Difficult situation)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in both daily conversation and literature.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'nigai' for hot/spicy food. → からい (Karai)
Learners often mix up these two basic taste adjectives. Remember: Nigai = Coffee, Karai = Chili.
Saying 'nigai da' for 'it is bitter'. → にがい (Nigai) or にがいです (Nigai desu)
Nigai is an i-adjective, so it doesn't need 'da'. 'Da' is only for na-adjectives and nouns.
Saying 'nigai samusa' for 'bitter cold'. → きびしい寒さ (Kibishii samusa)
In Japanese, 'nigai' is not used for temperature. It is strictly for taste and specific emotional contexts.
Using 'nigai' for an unripe persimmon. → しぶい (Shibui)
Unripe fruit causes a dry, puckering sensation called 'shibui'. 'Nigai' is a different chemical taste.
Confusing 'nigai' (bitter) and 'nagai' (long). → にがい (Nigai)
The vowels 'i' and 'a' are different. Practice saying them back-to-back to hear the distinction.

Astuces

Adverbial Use

Use 'nigaku' before verbs. For example, 'nigaku kanjiru' means 'to feel/perceive it as bitter.' This is common when something shouldn't be bitter but is.

Spring Bitterness

In Japan, 'spring bitterness' (haru no nigami) is a common phrase. Try seasonal mountain vegetables like 'fukinoto' to experience this cultural taste.

Nigawarai is Key

Use 'nigawarai' to describe yourself when you make a mistake in public. It shows you are aware of the awkwardness.

Nigami vs Nigai

Use 'nigami' when you want to talk about bitterness as a noun, like 'the bitterness of this beer' (kono bīru no nigami).

Kanji Practice

The kanji 苦 has the grass radical (艹) on top. Bitterness often comes from plants/herbs, so this is a great way to remember it.

Adult Taste

Praising the 'nigami' of a dish is a way to show you have a mature, refined palate in Japanese social settings.

Watch for Sugiru

You will often hear 'nigasugiru' (too bitter). This is a very common complaint for tea or coffee.

Link to Suffering

Since the kanji 苦 is also used for 'suffering,' remember that 'nigai' is the 'suffering of the tongue.'

Bug in the Mouth

The idiom 'nigamushi o kamitsubushita yō' is very descriptive. Picture someone who just bit a bitter bug to remember the expression for a scowl.

Knee-Guy

A 'Knee-Guy' (someone with huge knees) kicks you. It's a bitter, painful experience. Ni-ga-i!

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'KNEE' that is 'GUY'-sized and it hurts. Bitter pain! Ni-Ga-I.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person drinking black coffee and making a face that looks like the kanji 苦 (which has a cross/grass on top and a mouth-like shape below).

Word Web

Coffee Medicine Goya Regret Loss Scowl Dark Chocolate Matcha

Défi

Try to find three things in your kitchen that are 'nigai' and say 'Kore wa nigai desu' for each.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Old Japanese word 'nigasi'. The kanji '苦' (ku) represents a type of bitter herb, originally used in Chinese to denote bitterness and hardship.

Sens originel : The physical sensation of bitterness, which was quickly linked to the concept of suffering and difficulty in life.

Japonic family. The root 'ni' is found in other words related to intensity or difficulty.

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using 'nigai kao' to describe someone; it can sound like you are judging their lack of emotional control.

In English, 'bitter' is often used for weather (bitter cold) or personality (a bitter person). In Japanese, 'nigai' is strictly taste/expression/experience.

Goya Champuru (Okinawan dish famous for its bitterness). The proverb 'Ryōyaku wa kuchi ni nigashi'. Natsume Soseki's literature often explores 'nigai' social realities.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At a Cafe

にがいのは苦手です。
にがくないコーヒーはありますか？
このにがみがいいですね。
にがすぎて飲めません。

At the Doctor/Pharmacy

この薬はにがいですか？
にがい薬は飲みたくない。
子供にはにがすぎます。
にがいけれど飲んでください。

Talking about Sports

にがい敗北だった。
にがい経験になった。
にがい顔でベンチに戻った。
にがい汁を吸わされた。

Cooking

ゴーヤはにがい野菜だ。
にがみを取る方法。
少しにがい味がする。
チョコのにがみを活かす。

Reflecting on Life

にがい思い出しかない。
にがい現実を知る。
人生はにがいものだ。
にがい笑いを浮かべる。

Amorces de conversation

"にがいコーヒーと甘いコーヒー、どちらが好きですか？"

"最近、何か「にがい経験」をしましたか？"

"ゴーヤ（にがいウリ）は食べられますか？"

"にがい薬を飲むとき、どうしていますか？"

"「良薬は口に苦し」という言葉をどう思いますか？"

Sujets d'écriture

あなたの人生で一番「にがい思い出」について書いてください。

にがい食べ物の魅力を説明してください。

失敗が「にがい教訓」になった時のことを詳しく書いてください。

もし人生が「甘い」だけだったら、どうなると思いますか？

「にがい顔」をしてしまった最近の出来事を思い出してください。

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, you should use 'karai' for spicy food. 'Nigai' is strictly for bitterness like coffee or medicine.

Not necessarily. In culinary contexts, 'nigami' (bitterness) is often praised as a sophisticated 'adult' flavor.

Nigai is a flavor (like coffee), while shibui is a physical sensation of dryness/astringency (like strong tea).

You use the word 'horonigai' (ほろ苦い).

You can say 'nigamibashitta' for a ruggedly handsome man, but usually you describe their face ('nigai kao') rather than their whole personality.

It is an i-adjective. It ends in 'i' and conjugates like 'nigakunai' and 'nigakatta'.

Remove the final 'i' and add 'katta', making it 'nigakatta'.

The kanji is 苦, which also appears in words like 'kurushii' (painful) and 'kurō' (hardship).

No. For 'bitter cold,' use 'kibishii samusa' or 'hageshii samusa'.

It means a 'bitter smile'—the kind of smile you make when you are embarrassed, frustrated, or in an awkward spot.

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