How to say "stiffness" in Japanese

• 硬質こうしつCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers stiffness as an inherent material property — the hard, unyielding quality of a substance. It names that quality in the abstract, so it suits descriptions of materials rather than stiffness in the body.
• 硬さかたさCommon
  nounThe degree to which something is hard, firm or stiff; the natural choice when asking about or measuring hardness, from the firmness of food to the stiffness of a material.
• 硬直こうちょくCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbStiffness as rigidity: a stiffening, as of muscles or joints, or of attitudes grown inflexible; it also covers rigor. It implies an unwelcome loss of flexibility rather than mere firmness.
  壁かべのまわりのバレリーナ達たちは筋肉きんにくが硬直こうちょくしないように脚あしと足先あしさきを伸のばしています。↗

  The ballerinas around the walls are stretching their legs and feet so their muscles will not become stiff.
• 突っ張りつっぱりCommon
  nounStiffness felt as tautness or tightness — the tight, cramped feeling of muscles, as in stiff shoulders — rather than the hardness of objects; it can also mean cramp itself.

Use 「硬さ」 for the degree of hardness or firmness, 硬質 for the hard quality of materials, 硬直 for rigidity of the body or of attitudes, and 「突っ張り」 for taut, cramped tightness in muscles.

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

• 硬質こうしつhardness
• 硬さかたさfirmness
• 硬直こうちょくstiffening
• 剛性ごうせいstiffness
• こわばりstiffness
• 痙縮けいしゅくspasticity
• 突っ張りつっぱりbecoming taut