How to say "deep" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 深いふかいi-adjectiveThe default word for depth, literal or figurative: deep water, holes, or snow, and also deep feelings, sleep, or thought. When unsure which word to use, start here.
- 濃いこいi-adjectiveCovers only the colour sense: a deep or dark shade of a colour is 濃い. It is not used for depth of water, space, or feeling.
- 厚いあついi-adjectiveChiefly means thick — a thick book, coat, or slice. Its 'deep' gloss applies only in a few uses where thickness and depth coincide, so it is seldom the word you want for 'deep'.
- nounThe English loanword, found mostly in borrowed set phrases. When you need an ordinary adjective for physical or figurative depth, a native word is the natural choice.
- 奥深いおくふかいi-adjectiveProfound: describes subjects, arts, or ideas with hidden depths that reward long study, and insight or meaning not apparent at first glance. For physical depth, 深い is the word.
Use 「深い」 for physical and figurative depth, 「濃い」 only for deep colours, 「奥深い」 for profound subjects or insight, 「ディープ」 in borrowed set phrases, and 「厚い」 chiefly for thick, only marginally for deep.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 深いふかいdeep
- 濃いこいdeep (colour)
- 厚いあついthick
- ディープdeep
- 奥深いおくふかいprofound
- 重厚じゅうこうprofound
- 海溝かいこうoceanic trench
- 深遠しんえんprofound
- 濃密のうみつdense
- 濃ゆいこゆいdeep (colour)
- 幽々ゆうゆうdeep
- 浅からぬあさからぬdeep (of emotions, connections, etc.)
- 奥の深いおくのふかいdeep
- 深甚しんじんprofound (respect, gratitude, etc.)
- 深甚なるしんじんなるprofound (respect, gratitude, etc.)
- 奥が深いおくがふかいprofound
- 味わい深いあじわいぶかいenlightening
- 深重じんじゅうprofound
- 海淵かいえん(ocean) deep
- 太いふといdeep (of a voice)
- 海山うみやまdeep (indebtedness, love, etc.)
- 細やかこまやかdeep (of a colour)
- 野太いのぶといthroaty (voice)
- 深奥しんおうprofound
- あちさんthick
- 低いひくいdeep (voice)
- こっくりdeep (flavor, flavour, color, colour, etc.)
See also
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