Japanese word of the day: 強い (Tsuyoi)

What does 強い (Tsuyoi) mean?

強い (Tsuyoi) (い-adjective) — Strong; powerful; tough; resilient. This word covers everything from physical strength and mental toughness to being resistant or durable. You’ll see 強い used for people, objects, skills, weather, and even drinks or flavors.

Kanji details for 強

Character: 強 — strong
Radical: bow 弓

Example sentences with 強い (Tsuyoi)

• 私は強いチームに入りました。
  (Watashi wa tsuyoi chiimu ni hairimashita.)
  🏆 I joined a strong team.

• 今日は風が強いですね。
  (Kyō wa kaze ga tsuyoi desu ne.)
  💨 The wind is strong today, isn’t it?

• この布地は洗濯に強い。
  (Kono nunoji wa sentaku ni tsuyoi.)
  🧺 This fabric is resistant to washing.

強い (Tsuyoi) in context

You’ll hear 試合 for people (a strong athlete, someone with a strong will), objects (a strong wire, a sturdy fabric), natural forces (strong wind or rain), and even for things like a strong accent, a powerful effect, or a strong flavor. It’s also common in set phrases, such as 強い心 (a strong heart), 強い意志 (strong will), or 強いチーム (a strong team).

However, it’s important to choose your words carefully depending on what kind of “strength” you want to express. For physical properties, 強い refers to the ability to withstand force or pressure—like a wire that can hold a lot of weight, even if it’s thin. But if you want to say something is “hard” or “solid” (like a rock or a table), use 硬い (katai) instead, which describes hardness or rigidity, not strength

Remember this: use 強い when you want to emphasize power, intensity, resilience, or the ability to withstand challenges!