How to say "formidable" in Japanese

• 手ごわいてごわいCommon
  i-adjectiveCovers formidable in the sense of difficult to overcome — a redoubtable rival, opponent, or task. It emphasizes that dealing with the person or thing will be tough and demanding effort.
  あいつは海千山千うみせんやませんだから、取り引とりひき相手あいてとしてはかなり手強てごわいぞ。↗

  All those tricks he's got up his sleeve make him a formidable client.
• きついJLPT N3approx.Common
  i-adjectiveMatches formidable only via the sense of a forceful, strong-minded, determined person whose manner feels intense or hard to handle. For a formidable opponent or obstacle, this is not the natural choice.

Use 「手ごわい」 for a formidable opponent or challenge that is hard to beat, and 「きつい」 for a formidable person in the sense of forceful, strong-minded, or demanding.

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

• 手ごわいてごわいdifficult
• 侮りがたいあなどりがたいformidable
• 半端じゃないはんぱじゃないconsiderable
• いかめしいstern
• きついdetermined