“Strong” in Japanese is 強い (つよい), pronounced tsuyoi.
Pronunciation
The word has 3 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
Strong. お酒に強い means someone who can hold their drink.
Example sentences
- 風が強いです。かぜがつよいです。The wind is strong.
- 彼はお酒に強いです。かれはおさけにつよいです。He can hold his drink.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 強い. The rules are explained in い- vs. な-adjectives.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Plain | 強い つよい | strong |
| Polite present | 強いです つよいです | is strong |
| Negative | 強くないです つよくないです | isn’t strong |
| Past | 強かったです つよかったです | was strong |
| Past negative | 強くなかったです つよくなかったです | wasn’t strong |
| て-form | 強くて つよくて | strong and… |
| Adverb (く) | 強く つよく | adverb form (+ verb) |
Quick practice
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Related words: Adjectives
FAQ
How do you say strong in Japanese?
Strong in Japanese is 強い (つよい), pronounced “tsuyoi”.
How do you write strong in Japanese?
It's written 強い with kanji, or つよい in hiragana. Both are read tsuyoi.
Is 強い on the JLPT?
Yes. 強い (tsuyoi) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.