きつい
kitsui[kʲi̥t͡sɨi]
The Japanese word for tight is きつい (kitsui).
きつい is used to describe clothing or objects that fit close to the body, often to the point of being uncomfortable. Beyond physical tightness, it can also describe things that are harsh, strict or physically strenuous.
Meaning: fitting close, or too close, to the body (adj)
Which one should you use?
While きつい implies an uncomfortable or difficult tightness, if you want to describe a fit that is perfect and comfortable, use ぴったり.
How does it change in a sentence?
To speak politely to strangers or in formal settings, use the form きついです. To express that something is not tight, use the negative form きつくない. If you want to describe something that was tight in the past, use the past tense form きつかった.
How do you pronounce it?
kitsui
Did you know?
- The word きつい can describe a strong smell or taste that is 'tight' in the sense of being overpowering or pungent.
- In Japanese sports or exercise, きつい is used as a common exclamation to mean 'this is grueling' or 'I am exhausted'.
- When describing a person as きつい, it doesn't refer to their clothing but to their personality, implying they are sharp-tongued or intimidating.
Examples in context
- ちょっときついです。They're a little tight.This sentence is useful for saying that something is a little tight using きつい.Tatoeba #202841 by small_snow, translation #40075 by CM
- 水着がめっちゃきつい。My swimsuit is very tight.This sentence is useful for describing a swimsuit as very tight using きつい.Tatoeba #11633858 by small_snow, translation #10714932 by AlanF_US
- 少し太ったかな。ジーパンのボタンがきついよ。I must have gained some weight. My jeans' button is really tight.This sentence is useful for explaining that a button is really tight using きつい.Tatoeba #1015615 by bunbuku, translation #2610246 by WestofEden
- Futa ga shikkari tojiteimasu (蓋がしっかり閉じています)The lid is tightly closed
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui is trying on a new jacket in a clothing store with Yota.
- 結衣 Yui陽太、このジャケット、ちょっときついかな？Yota, kono jaketto, chotto kitsui kana?Yota, is this jacket a bit too tight?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、少し肩のあたりがきつそうに見えるよ。Un, sukoshi kata no atari ga kitsu-sou ni mieru yo.Yeah, the shoulders look a bit tight.
- 結衣 Yuiやっぱり、もう一つ大きいサイズにするね。Yappari, mou hitotsu ookii saizu ni suru ne.As I thought, I'll go with one size larger.
- 陽太 Yotaそのほうが動きやすくていいと思うよ。Sono hou ga ugokiyasukute ii to omou yo.I think that would be better and easier to move in.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry きつい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
