苦い
0%
Log in to evaluate your pronunciation.
No feedback yet. Please speak to see your results.
Base i-adjective form ending in 『い』. Describes a bitter taste or metaphorically, a harsh experience.
Theme
At a coffee shop, User and their friend Ken are trying a new dark roast blend and discussing its taste.
苦い
にがい
bitter
Core Language Building BlocksCore Adjectives
Memory Hook
Imagine biting into a bitter lemon and making a face — you say 『苦い！』 (nigai, 'bitter'). 'Niga-i!' sounds like 'knee guy' who tastes something bitter.
Cultural Note
In Japan, 『苦い』 (nigai) is often used to describe bitter foods like 『ゴーヤ』 (gōya, 'bitter melon') or unsweetened green tea. It can also metaphorically describe unpleasant experiences, such as a bitter memory.
Forms
Base: 苦いBase i-adjective form ending in 『い』. Describes a bitter taste or metaphorically, a harsh experience.
Negative: 苦くないDrop 『い』 → add 『くない』 (kunai, negative) → 『苦くない』 (nigakunai).
Past: 苦かったDrop 『い』 → add 『かった』 (katta, past) → 『苦かった』 (nigakatta).
Adverbial: 苦くDrop 『い』 → add 『く』 (ku, adverbial) → 『苦く』 (nigaku).
Comparative: より苦いComparative formed with modifier 『より』 (yori, 'more than') + base adjective.
Superlative: 一番苦いSuperlative formed with 『一番』 (ichiban, 'number one / Most') + adjective.