How to say "bitter" in Japanese

• つらいJLPT N3approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers the emotional sense of 'bitter': painful, heart-breaking, or hard to endure. Use for bitter experiences, memories, or times — not for taste.
• 苦いにがいJLPT N4approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe default word for the taste sense of 'bitter', as in bitter medicine, coffee, or chocolate. It can also describe bitter experiences, but the taste meaning is central.
  私は苦にがいものが好すきだ。↗

  I have a fancy for bitter things.
• 渋いしぶいJLPT N1approx.Common
  i-adjectiveFor an astringent, puckery kind of bitterness, such as unripe persimmons or strong tea. 'Bitter' is a secondary gloss here; the core sense is astringency rather than outright bitterness.
• 痛烈つうれつCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'bitter' in the sense of severe or scathing, as in bitter criticism, sarcasm, or invective. It describes cutting words or attacks, never taste or feelings of hardship.
• 悔しいくやしいJLPT N2approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers 'bitter' as in bitterly disappointed or chagrined — the frustration felt after a failure, humiliation, or injustice. Use for one's own reaction to losing or being wronged.
  監督かんとくはチームをトーナメント優勝ゆうしょうに今一いまいち歩あゆみという所ところまでもっていったのに悔くやしいことだった。↗

  It was annoying, as the manager took his team to a near-miss in the tournament.

Use 「苦い」 for bitter taste, 「つらい」 for emotionally painful experiences, 「渋い」 for astringent or puckery flavors, 痛烈 for scathing criticism, and 「悔しい」 for bitter disappointment or frustration over failure.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• つらいpainful
• 苦いにがいbitter
• 渋いしぶいastringent
• 痛烈つうれつsevere
• 悔しいくやしいfrustrated (over a failure, humiliation or injustice)
• ビターbitter (taste)
• 辛辣しんらつbitter (e.g. criticism)
• 恨めしいうらめしいreproachful
• 苦っぽいにがっぽいbitterish
• つらたんpainful
• 熾烈しれつfierce (fight, competition, etc.)
• 口惜しいくちおしいfrustrated (over a failure, humiliation or injustice)
• 憂いういunhappy
• 憂きうきunhappy
• 凛然りんぜんbitter (cold)
• 凛々りんりんbiting
• アシッドharsh (e.g. criticism)
• 辛いからいpainful