This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 adjective #1,500 most common 8 min read

強い

tsuyoi Top 1,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 強い in 30 Seconds

Explanation 強い in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners encounter 強い (tsuyoi) primarily in its most literal and physical sense. It is introduced as a basic i-adjective to describe physical strength, usually in contrast to its antonym, 弱い (yowai - weak). Beginners learn to use it to describe people, animals, or basic weather conditions. The grammatical focus is on simple present and past tense conjugations: 強いです (is strong), 強くないです (is not strong), 強かったです (was strong). Example sentences at this stage are straightforward, such as 'あの人は強いです' (That person is strong) or '風が強いです' (The wind is strong). The goal at A1 is to recognize the word, pronounce it correctly, and place it accurately in a basic Subject-Wa/Ga-Adjective sentence structure. It is a highly frequent word in beginner textbooks because it is essential for basic descriptions and daily survival Japanese.

At the A2 level, the usage of 強い expands significantly beyond physical strength to include natural phenomena and sensory experiences. Learners begin to use 強い to describe the intensity of weather, such as strong rain (強い雨) or strong sunlight (強い日差し). They also learn to apply it to abstract concepts like a strong team in sports or a strong flavor in food. Grammatically, A2 learners practice using the adverbial form 強く (tsuyoku) to modify verbs, as in 強く押す (push strongly) or 強くなる (become strong). They also learn to use it as a noun modifier more frequently (強い風が吹いています - A strong wind is blowing). The focus shifts from simple identification to practical, everyday communication, allowing learners to express their experiences and observations of the world around them with greater detail and accuracy.

At the B1 level, learners delve into the more abstract and psychological applications of 強い. It is used to describe personality traits, mental fortitude, and emotional resilience. Phrases like 意志が強い (strong-willed), メンタルが強い (mentally strong), and 責任感が強い (strong sense of responsibility) become common. Learners also encounter idiomatic expressions such as 気が強い (aggressive/strong-minded) and お酒に強い (having a high tolerance for alcohol). The grammar becomes more complex, integrating 強い into conditional clauses (風が強ければ - if the wind is strong) and comparative structures (彼の方が強い - he is stronger). At this stage, learners are expected to understand the nuances of 強い in various social contexts and use it to articulate opinions, describe character traits, and engage in more sophisticated conversations about human behavior and societal trends.

At the B2 level, the mastery of 強い involves understanding its role in compound words and advanced idiomatic expressions. Learners encounter words like 辛抱強い (patient/persevering), 根強い (deep-rooted), and 力強い (powerful/reassuring), where 強い acts as a suffix that undergoes sequential voicing (rendaku) to become -zuyoi. The usage of 強い becomes highly nuanced, appearing in discussions about economic trends (円が強い - the yen is strong), political influence (影響力が強い - strong influence), and literary descriptions. B2 learners are expected to distinguish between 強い and its synonyms (like 丈夫, 強力, 頑丈) and choose the most appropriate word based on the specific context. They can comfortably read news articles and opinion pieces where 強い is used to convey complex arguments and subtle degrees of intensity.

At the C1 level, learners engage with 強い in academic, professional, and literary contexts. The word is used to express profound concepts, such as strong convictions (強い信念), intense pressure (強いプレッシャー), or compelling evidence (強い証拠). Learners understand how to use 強い to add rhetorical weight to their arguments and presentations. They are familiar with classical or poetic uses of the word and can effortlessly navigate highly idiomatic phrasing. At this level, the focus is on stylistic variation and precision. C1 learners know exactly when to use 強い for maximum impact and when to opt for more specialized vocabulary. They can comprehend complex narratives and abstract discussions where 強い serves as a thematic anchor, representing resilience, dominance, or overwhelming force in a sophisticated manner.

At the C2 level, the understanding of 強い is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. Learners possess an intuitive grasp of the word's deepest cultural and linguistic nuances. They can seamlessly integrate 強い into complex, multi-layered sentences, using it to convey subtle irony, profound emotional depth, or sharp critical analysis. They are aware of regional variations, historical shifts in usage, and the word's etymological roots. At this pinnacle of proficiency, 強い is not just a vocabulary item; it is a versatile tool for eloquent expression. C2 learners can manipulate the word to create original metaphors, engage in high-level debates, and appreciate the aesthetic qualities of its usage in classic literature and contemporary poetry. Their command of 強い reflects a comprehensive mastery of the Japanese language's expressive potential.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

強い in 30 Seconds

Means 'strong' or 'powerful'.
Used for physical strength and weather.
Describes mental toughness and willpower.
Conjugates as a standard i-adjective.

The Japanese adjective 強い (tsuyoi) is a fundamental vocabulary word that translates primarily to 'strong' in English. It is an i-adjective, meaning it conjugates by dropping the final 'i' and adding various suffixes. Understanding 強い requires looking beyond mere physical strength, as its applications in Japanese are incredibly vast and nuanced. When we talk about physical power, 強い is used to describe humans, animals, or even machines that possess great force. However, its usage extends deeply into describing natural phenomena, such as wind (風が強い), rain (雨が強い), and sunlight (日差しが強い). In these contexts, it conveys intensity rather than muscular strength. Furthermore, 強い is frequently employed to describe abstract concepts, such as a person's will (意志が強い), a team's capability in sports (あのチームは強い), or even the potency of a flavor or alcohol (お酒が強い). To truly master this word, learners must recognize its versatility across physical, natural, and abstract domains. The concept of strength in Japanese culture often intertwines with resilience and endurance, making 強い a word that carries positive connotations of reliability and fortitude. Let us examine some specific structures and examples to solidify this understanding.

Physical Strength: Used to describe muscular power or physical force in living beings and objects.

彼は力が強いです。

Natural Intensity: Describes the severity or intensity of weather conditions like wind, rain, and storms.

今日は風が強いですね。

Mental Fortitude: Refers to a strong will, determination, or mental resilience against adversity.

彼女はメンタルが強い。

このお酒はとても強いです。

責任感が強い人です。

As you can see from these examples, the core meaning of 強い revolves around a high degree of power, intensity, or resistance. Whether you are describing a bodybuilder, a typhoon, a spicy curry, or a resilient friend, 強い is the go-to adjective. It is essential to practice these different contexts to avoid limiting your understanding to just 'physical strength'. By embracing the broader applications of 強い, you will sound much more natural and fluent in your daily Japanese conversations. Remember that adjectives in Japanese often carry more weight in sentence structures than in English, frequently appearing at the end of sentences to deliver the main descriptive punch. Mastery of 強い will significantly enhance your expressive capabilities.

Using 強い (tsuyoi) correctly involves understanding its grammatical behavior as an i-adjective and its common collocations. As an i-adjective, it modifies nouns directly by preceding them, such as in 強い風 (strong wind) or 強い人 (strong person). When used as a predicate, it ends the sentence, taking forms like 強いです (polite present), 強かった (casual past), or 強くない (casual negative). The adverbial form is 強く (tsuyoku), which is incredibly useful for describing actions done with strength or intensity, such as 強く押す (push strongly) or 強く願う (wish strongly). Let us break down the grammatical structures and usage patterns in detail.

Modifying Nouns: Place 強い directly before the noun it modifies.

強いチームが勝ちます。

Predicate Usage: Use it at the end of a sentence to describe the subject.

このコーヒーは味が強い。

Adverbial Form: Change the final 'i' to 'ku' to modify verbs.

ドアを強く引いてください。

風が強くなりました。

もっと強く生きたい。

Beyond basic grammar, it is crucial to understand the nuances of negative and past forms. The negative form 強くない (tsuyokunai) means 'not strong' or 'weak', though the dedicated word for weak is 弱い (yowai). Often, saying 強くない is a softer, more polite way of indicating weakness without being overly direct. The past form 強かった (tsuyokatta) is used for things that were strong in the past, such as a past storm or a formidable opponent in a completed match. Furthermore, 強い can be combined with other words to form compound adjectives or nouns, such as 辛抱強い (shinbou-zuyoi), meaning patient or persevering. Notice how the pronunciation shifts from 'tsuyoi' to 'zuyoi' due to sequential voicing (rendaku) in compounds. Mastering these grammatical transformations and combinations will allow you to use 強い with the flexibility and precision of a native speaker.

The adjective 強い (tsuyoi) is ubiquitous in Japanese daily life, appearing in casual conversations, news broadcasts, sports commentary, and literature. Because it covers physical strength, weather intensity, and abstract concepts, you will encounter it in almost every context imaginable. In weather forecasts, it is a standard term used to warn the public about intense conditions. In sports, it is the ultimate compliment for an athlete or a team. In personal relationships, it describes character and resilience. Let us explore the specific environments where this word is most frequently heard and how its meaning adapts to each setting.

Weather Forecasts: Used daily by meteorologists to describe wind, rain, and typhoons.

明日は強い雨が降るでしょう。

Sports and Competitions: Describes formidable opponents, powerful teams, or dominant athletes.

今年の優勝チームは本当に強い。

Food and Drink: Refers to strong flavors, aromas, or high alcohol content.

このチーズは匂いが強い。

私はお酒に強いです。

日差しが強いので帽子をかぶる。

In the workplace, you might hear 強い used to describe a candidate's strong points (強み) or a strong sense of responsibility (責任感が強い). In casual conversation among friends, it is frequently used to express admiration for someone's mental toughness or ability to handle difficult situations. You will also hear it in idiomatic expressions, such as 気が強い (ki ga tsuyoi), which describes someone who is strong-willed, aggressive, or unyielding. Understanding the context is key to translating 強い accurately in your head. It is not always 'strong'; sometimes it is 'intense', 'heavy', 'potent', or 'resilient'. By paying attention to the nouns that accompany 強い, you will quickly develop an intuitive sense for its diverse applications in everyday Japanese life.

While 強い (tsuyoi) is a basic vocabulary word, learners frequently make mistakes regarding its application, particularly when translating directly from English. English uses 'strong' in ways that Japanese does not, and vice versa. For instance, in English, we say 'strong tea' or 'strong coffee', but in Japanese, while you can say 味が強い (strong flavor), it is more natural to say 濃い (koi), which means thick or dense, for liquids like tea and coffee. Another common error involves the conjugation of i-adjectives. Learners sometimes incorrectly add 'da' (だ) after 強い, saying 強いだ instead of the correct 強い or 強いです. Let us review these common pitfalls to ensure accurate and natural usage.

Wrong Adjective for Liquids: Using 強い instead of 濃い (koi) for strong tea or coffee.

Incorrect: 強いお茶 / Correct: 濃いお茶

Incorrect Conjugation: Adding the copula だ (da) directly after an i-adjective.

Incorrect: 風が強いだ / Correct: 風が強い(です)

Confusing with 丈夫 (Joubu): Using 強い when describing something as durable or sturdy.

Better: このカバンは丈夫です。(Not 強い)

Incorrect: 彼は病気に強い / Correct: 彼は体が丈夫だ

Incorrect: 強く雨 / Correct: 強い雨

Another subtle mistake is using 強い to mean 'heavy' in the context of traffic or weight. For heavy traffic, Japanese uses 渋滞がひどい (jutai ga hidoi - terrible traffic), not 強い. For heavy weight, the word is 重い (omoi). It is essential to map the Japanese word to its specific concepts rather than relying on English translations. By recognizing these boundaries, you can avoid awkward phrasing. Always ask yourself: 'Am I describing intensity, power, or resilience?' If the answer is yes, 強い is likely the correct choice. If you are describing density, durability, or weight, you should look for alternative adjectives like 濃い, 丈夫, or 重い.

Expanding your vocabulary means understanding not just a single word, but its synonyms and related terms. While 強い (tsuyoi) is the most general word for 'strong', Japanese has several other words that convey specific types of strength, durability, or power. Knowing when to use 強い versus these alternatives will significantly elevate your Japanese proficiency. For instance, 丈夫 (joubu) means sturdy or robust, often used for health or durable goods. 力強い (chikarazuyoi) emphasizes physical power or a reassuring, powerful presence. 頑丈 (ganjou) is used for solid, unbreakable structures. Let us compare these words to understand their distinct nuances.

丈夫 (Joubu) - Sturdy / Healthy: Used for physical health or things that do not break easily.

この靴はとても丈夫です。(Unlike 強い, it implies it won't tear or break.)

力強い (Chikarazuyoi) - Powerful / Reassuring: A compound of 'power' and 'strong', used for dynamic strength or encouraging support.

彼のスピーチは力強かった。(More evocative than just 強い.)

頑丈 (Ganjou) - Solid / Firm: Used primarily for structures, buildings, or heavy-duty items.

頑丈な机を買いました。(Implies solid construction, whereas 強い would sound unnatural here.)

強烈な(Kyōretsu na)匂い。(Intense, often overwhelmingly so, compared to 強い.)

強力な(Kyōryoku na)接着剤。(Powerful in effect, like strong glue, rather than just 強い.)

By studying these synonyms, you can see that 強い is the foundational building block. It is the safest word to use when you are unsure, but as you progress to intermediate and advanced levels, substituting 強い with more precise vocabulary like 丈夫, 頑丈, or 強力 will make your Japanese sound much more sophisticated. For example, while you could say '強い薬' (strong medicine), '強力な薬' (potent medicine) sounds more clinical and precise. Keep these distinctions in mind as you consume Japanese media, and you will start noticing how native speakers choose the perfect word for the specific type of strength they wish to convey.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

i-adjective conjugation

Adverbial form of adjectives (~く)

Noun modification

Comparative structures (より強い)

Conditional form (~ければ)

Examples by Level

彼はとても強いです。

He is very strong.

Basic predicate usage with です.

風が強いです。

The wind is strong.

Using particle が to mark the subject.

このロボットは強い。

This robot is strong.

Casual form ending in i-adjective.

ライオンは強い動物です。

The lion is a strong animal.

Modifying a noun (動物).

私は強くないです。

I am not strong.

Negative form 強くない.

昨日は風が強かったです。

The wind was strong yesterday.

Past tense 強かった.

強いチームが好きです。

I like strong teams.

Modifying a noun before particle が.

もっと強くなりたい。

I want to become stronger.

Adverbial form 強く + なる (become).

今日は日差しが強いですね。

The sunlight is strong today, isn't it?

Used for weather intensity.

雨が強いので、出かけません。

Because the rain is strong, I won't go out.

Reason clause with ので.

このお酒は少し強いです。

This alcohol is a little strong.

Describing potency of drinks.

ドアを強く閉めないでください。

Please do not close the door strongly.

Adverbial form modifying a verb.

彼はクラスで一番強いです。

He is the strongest in the class.

Superlative structure with 一番.

風が強くなってきた。

The wind has started to become strong.

強く + なってくる (change in state).

強い薬を飲みました。

I took strong medicine.

Modifying a noun (薬).

あの二人は強い絆で結ばれている。

Those two are connected by a strong bond.

Abstract concept (絆 - bond).

彼女はとても意志が強い人です。

She is a person with a very strong will.

Abstract trait: 意志が強い.

彼は気が強いから、よく喧嘩をする。

Because he is strong-minded, he often fights.

Idiom: 気が強い (strong-minded/aggressive).

私はお酒に強い方だと思います。

I think I am on the side of those who have a high tolerance for alcohol.

Idiom: お酒に強い (high tolerance).

この香水は匂いが強すぎる。

The smell of this perfume is too strong.

Suffix すぎる (too much) dropping the 'i'.

風が強ければ、試合は中止になります。

If the wind is strong, the match will be canceled.

Conditional form 強ければ.

ストレスに強い心を持ちたい。

I want to have a heart that is resilient to stress.

Particle に indicating resistance to something.

彼の言葉には強い説得力があった。

His words had strong persuasive power.

Modifying an abstract noun (説得力).

逆風が強いほど、高く飛べる。

The stronger the headwind, the higher you can fly.

Proverbial usage with ほど (the more...)

この地域は伝統に対する執着が根強い。

This region has a deep-rooted attachment to tradition.

Compound adjective: 根強い (deep-rooted).

彼は辛抱強い性格で、決して諦めない。

He has a patient personality and never gives up.

Compound adjective: 辛抱強い (patient).

円が強い影響で、輸入品が安くなっている。

Due to the strong yen, imported goods are becoming cheaper.

Economic context: 円が強い.

政府は強い懸念を表明した。

The government expressed strong concern.

Formal phrasing: 強い懸念 (strong concern).

その映画は社会に強い衝撃を与えた。

That movie gave a strong shock to society.

Collocation: 強い衝撃 (strong impact/shock).

彼はリーダーとして力強い存在だ。

He is a reassuring/powerful presence as a leader.

Compound adjective: 力強い (reassuring/powerful).

競争が激しく、生き残るには強い精神力が必要だ。

The competition is fierce, and strong mental power is needed to survive.

Abstract noun modification: 強い精神力.

この素材は熱に強いのが特徴です。

The characteristic of this material is that it is resistant to heat.

Resistance: 熱に強い (heat-resistant).

被告は一貫して強い殺意を否認している。

The defendant has consistently denied strong murderous intent.

Legal/Formal context: 強い殺意.

両国間には依然として強い不信感が根付いている。

A strong sense of distrust still remains rooted between the two countries.

Political context: 強い不信感.

彼の作品には、生への強い執着が描かれている。

A strong attachment to life is depicted in his works.

Literary context: 強い執着.

その仮説を裏付ける強い証拠が発見された。

Strong evidence supporting that hypothesis was discovered.

Academic context: 強い証拠.

市場の強い反発を招く恐れがある。

There is a fear of inviting strong backlash from the market.

Business context: 強い反発 (strong backlash).

彼女の強い要望により、計画は変更された。

The plan was changed due to her strong request.

Formal request: 強い要望.

強い自己肯定感が、彼の成功の鍵であった。

A strong sense of self-affirmation was the key to his success.

Psychological context: 強い自己肯定感.

その薬は副作用が強いので注意が必要だ。

That medicine has strong side effects, so caution is necessary.

Medical context: 副作用が強い.

時代の強い要請に応えるべく、新法が制定された。

A new law was enacted to meet the strong demands of the times.

Highly formal/abstract: 強い要請.

彼の文章には、読者を惹きつける強い引力がある。

His writing has a strong magnetic pull that attracts readers.

Metaphorical usage: 強い引力.

強いられた沈黙の中で、彼女の怒りは頂点に達した。

In the forced silence, her anger reached its peak.

Passive verb form: 強いられる (to be forced).

権力に対する強い猜疑心が、彼の行動原理である。

A strong suspicion of authority is his behavioral principle.

Complex abstract noun: 強い猜疑心.

その伝統芸能は、現代においても強い生命力を保っている。

That traditional performing art maintains a strong vitality even in modern times.

Literary description: 強い生命力.

強い連帯感で結ばれた組織は、危機において脆さを見せない。

An organization bound by a strong sense of solidarity does not show fragility in a crisis.

Sociological context: 強い連帯感.

彼女の瞳の奥には、決して屈しない強い光が宿っていた。

Deep in her eyes dwelt a strong light that would never yield.

Poetic/Literary imagery.

強い語調で非難を浴びせたが、彼の心は晴れなかった。

He hurled accusations in a strong tone, but his heart did not clear.

Nuanced emotional context: 強い語調.

Common Collocations

風が強い

雨が強い

気が強い

意志が強い

お酒に強い

責任感が強い

メンタルが強い

日差しが強い

影響力が強い

クセが強い

Common Phrases

強くする

強くなる

強い風

強い人

強い酒

強い薬

強い心

強い味方

強い要望

強い絆

Often Confused With

強い vs 丈夫 (joubu - sturdy)

強い vs 濃い (koi - thick/strong flavor)

強い vs 重い (omoi - heavy)

Idioms & Expressions

"気が強い"

"お酒に強い"

"ストレスに強い"

"押しが強い"

"クセが強い"

"運が強い"

"芯が強い"

"当たりが強い"

"引きが強い"

"目に強い"

Easily Confused

強い vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

nuance

強い implies inherent power or intensity, whereas 丈夫 implies durability against breaking.

Common Mistakes

Using 強い for strong coffee instead of 濃い (koi).
Saying 強いだ instead of 強いです.
Using 強い for durable objects instead of 丈夫 (joubu).
Confusing the pronunciation with 怖い (kowai - scary).
Using 強い for heavy weight instead of 重い (omoi).

Tips

No 'Da' for I-Adjectives

Never put 'だ' (da) after 強い. Just say '強い' or '強いです'.

Weather Words

Use 強い for wind, rain, and sunlight. It is the most natural way to describe intense weather in Japanese.

Drinking Culture

If you don't want to drink much, politely say 'お酒に強くないです' (I'm not strong with alcohol).

Mental Strength

Use 'メンタルが強い' to compliment someone's emotional resilience. It is a very common modern phrase.

Flat Pitch

Pronounce 'tsuyoi' with a flat pitch (heiban). Don't stress the first syllable.

Ki ga Tsuyoi

Be careful calling someone '気が強い'. It can mean they are confident, but it often implies they are stubborn or aggressive.

Kanji Practice

The kanji 強 contains the radical for 'bow' (弓). Imagine a strong bow to remember it.

Anime Exclamations

Listen for 'つよっ！' (Tsuyo!) in anime. It's a slangy, abbreviated way to say 'That's so strong!'

Strong Will

'意志が強い' (ishi ga tsuyoi) is the standard way to say someone is strong-willed or determined.

Not for Heavy Things

Don't use 強い for heavy boxes or heavy traffic. Use 重い (omoi) for weight and ひどい (hidoi) for traffic.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Cultural Context

Strength in Japan often implies resilience and the ability to endure (endurance) rather than aggressive dominance.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"最近、風が強い日が多いですね。"

"お酒は強い方ですか？"

"スポーツで一番強いチームはどこだと思いますか？"

"メンタルを強くするにはどうすればいいですか？"

"日差しが強いので気をつけてください。"

Journal Prompts

あなたが「強い」と思う人は誰ですか？その理由は？

最近、強い風や雨を経験しましたか？

自分の意志が強いと感じたエピソードを書いてください。

ストレスに強くなるためのあなたの方法は？

一番強いと思う動物は何ですか？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

While '味が強い' (strong flavor) is understood, it is much more natural to use '濃い' (koi - thick/dense) for liquids like coffee or tea. '濃いコーヒー' means strong coffee.

強い refers to power, intensity, or force. 丈夫 (joubu) refers to sturdiness, durability, or robust health. A strong wind is 強い, but a sturdy bag that won't break is 丈夫.

You use the particle に (ni). 'ストレスに強い' (sutoresu ni tsuyoi) means you have a high tolerance for stress or are resilient against it.

Yes, in the idiom '気が強い' (ki ga tsuyoi), it describes someone who is strong-minded, aggressive, or unyielding in their personality.

Drop the final 'i' and add 'ku'. '強く' (tsuyoku) means strongly. For example, '強く押す' (tsuyoku osu) means to push strongly.

It literally means 'strong to alcohol', which translates to having a high tolerance for alcohol or being able to drink a lot without getting drunk.

Yes. In Japanese, heavy rain is described as '強い雨' (tsuyoi ame - strong rain) or '大雨' (ooame - big rain).

Drop the 'i' and add 'sa'. '強さ' (tsuyosa) means strength. For example, '彼の強さ' means his strength.

No. 強い is an i-adjective. It never takes 'だ' (da). You can say '強い' in casual speech or '強いです' in polite speech.

It is a common phrase meaning someone or something has very strong, unique, or peculiar quirks. It is often used for strong-smelling food or eccentric people.

Test Yourself 185 questions

writing

Translate: 'He is very strong.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

彼はとても強いです。