How to say "fierce" in Japanese

• 猛烈もうれつJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjectiveCovers fierce in the sense of intense and severe, such as fierce competition or a fierce storm. It emphasizes violence and severity of force rather than wildness of manner.
  警官けいかんがやってくるのを見みると彼かれは猛烈もうれつに走はしり出だした。↗

  When he saw a policeman coming, he began to run like anything.
• 壮絶そうぜつCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers fierce events that are heroic, grand, or sublime, such as a fierce battle. It carries an admiring, dramatic nuance and is not for fierce people or animals.
• 荒いあらいJLPT N2approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers fierce as rough, wild, or violent in manner, such as rough waves or a wild temper. For fierce intensity of attack or emotion, 激しい is usually the better choice.
  僕ぼくのボスは人使ひとづかいが荒あらいんだ。↗

  My boss is a slave driver.
• 激しいはげしいJLPT N3approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe default word for fierce in most senses: extreme, intense, or strong, as in fierce wind, fierce fighting, or fierce emotion. If unsure among these words, start here.
  その２チームは激はげしく戦たたかった。↗

  The two teams fought very hard.
• きついJLPT N3approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers fierce only in describing a determined, strong-minded, or formidable person or manner. It is not used for fierce weather, fighting, or animals, where the other words fit.

Choose 「激しい」 for fierce force or intensity, 猛烈 for extreme severity, 壮絶 for fierce yet heroic grandeur, 「荒い」 for wild roughness, and 「きつい」 only for fierce in manner or personality.

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

• 猛烈もうれつfierce
• 壮絶そうぜつheroic
• 荒いあらいrough
• 熾烈しれつfierce (fight, competition, etc.)
• 剽悍ひょうかんfierce
• 凶猛きょうもうfierce
• 凄烈せいれつfierce
• 獰猛どうもうferocious
• 殺伐さつばつbrutal (atmosphere, society, etc.)
• 苛烈かれつsevere
• 猛々しいたけだけしいferocious
• 烈々れつれつfervent
• 荒ぶるあらぶるsavage
• ごうごうloud (criticism, protest, etc.)
• 精悍せいかんvirile
• 凄絶せいぜつextremely gruesome
• 猛きたけきvaliant
• 激しいはげしいextreme
• きついdetermined
• 鋭いするどいsharp (pain, tone, etc.)
• 陣々じんじんstrong (wind)
• 強いつよいintense