強い|つよいtsuyoi[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. i-adjectivestrong; potent; competent; domineering; tough
2. i-adjectivestrong; brawny; powerful; healthy; rugged
   象ぞうというものは強つよい動物どうぶつである。↗

   An elephant is a strong animal.
3. i-adjectivegood (at); skilled; knowledgeable
4. i-adjectivebeing able to handle; know how to deal (with); durable (against); resistant (to); resilientas 〜に強い
   この布地ぬのじは洗濯せんたくに強つよい。↗

   This material will stand up to lots of washings.
5. i-adjectivefirm; rigid; solid
6. i-adjectiveintense; strong; fierce; high
   その釣り人つりびとは釣り糸つりいとに強つよい引ひきを感かんじた。↗

   The angler felt a strong tug on the line.
7. i-adjectivedependable; trustworthy

• Synonym激しいはげしいNeutralFor violent momentum or intensity, as in 「激しい雨」; stresses forceful motion, while 「強い」 stresses strength itself.
• Synonym強烈きょうれつNeutralFor intense stimuli or impressions, e.g. 「強烈な印象」「強烈な臭い」; leans toward written prose.
• Synonym強力きょうりょくNeutralFor powerful force or effect, e.g. 「強力な薬」「強力なチーム」; mostly used before a noun.
• Synonym力強いちからづよいNeutralFull of power and uplifting, e.g. 「力強い声」; carries a positive, encouraging nuance.
• Synonym屈強くっきょうWrittenWritten/formal: physically robust and brawny, e.g. 「屈強な男たち」.
• SynonymきついCasualColloquial: tight, exhausting, harsh or intense, e.g. 「きつい仕事」「きつい言い方」; stresses being hard to endure.
• Synonym猛烈もうれつNeutralFierce momentum or extreme degree, e.g. 「猛烈な勢い」; also adverbial as 「猛烈に」. Adds a sense of onrushing, unstoppable force that 「強い」 lacks.
• Synonym凄まじいすさまじいNeutralAstonishing in degree, with or without an edge of fear, e.g. 「凄まじい音」「凄まじい成長」.
• SynonymパワフルNeutralLoanword for brimming with power and energy, e.g. 「パワフルな走り」.
• Synonym頑丈がんじょうNeutralFor sturdy objects or strong bodies, e.g. 「頑丈な箱」; stresses not breaking easily.
• Synonym手ごわいてごわいNeutralA strong, hard-to-handle opponent, e.g. 「手ごわい相手」; said from the side having to deal with them.
• Synonym激烈げきれつWrittenWritten/formal: extremely fierce, as in competition or debate, e.g. 「激烈な競争」.
• Synonym頑強がんきょうWrittenWritten/formal: tenacious and unyielding, or physically sturdy, e.g. 「頑強に抵抗する」; stresses not giving in.
• Synonym強靭きょうじんWrittenWritten/formal: tough and resilient, e.g. 「強靭な精神」「強靭な肉体」; stresses suppleness plus strength.
• Synonym強硬きょうこうWrittenWritten/formal: hard-line attitudes or measures that refuse to compromise, e.g. 「強硬な姿勢」「強硬手段」.
• Synonym厳しいきびしいNeutralSevere, strict or harsh, e.g. 「厳しい寒さ」「厳しい先生」; stresses strictness rather than strength.
• SynonymすごいCasualColloquial: amazing to any degree, praise or blame, e.g. 「すごい力」; broader than 「強い」.
• SynonymものすごいCasualAn intensified 「すごい」 for staggering degrees; common in speech.
• Synonym強壮きょうそうWrittenWritten/formal: physically strong and healthy; mostly in set phrases like 「滋養強壮」 in tonic ads.
• SynonymタフNeutralLoanword: mentally or physically hard-wearing, e.g. 「タフな人」; stresses stamina.
• Synonym強固きょうこWrittenWritten/formal: firm and unshakable, of wills, foundations and the like, e.g. 「強固な意志」.
• Synonym丈夫じょうぶNeutralFor healthy bodies or durable objects, e.g. 「丈夫な体」「丈夫な靴」.
• Synonym堅固けんごWrittenWritten/formal: solidly built or firmly resolved, e.g. 「堅固な城」.
• Synonym手強いてづよいNeutralSame word as above, written 「手強い」; can also call a problem thorny, while 「強い」 only says the opponent is strong.
• RelatedハードNeutralLoanword: physically hard, demanding or literally hard, e.g. 「ハードな練習」.
• RelatedいかめしいWrittenWritten/formal: stern and imposing in look, e.g. 「厳めしい門構え」; stresses an awe-inspiring air.
• Antonym柔らかいやわらかいNeutralThe opposite of 「強い」 in force or stimulus: soft and mild, e.g. 「柔らかい光」.
• Antonym弱いよわいNeutralThe direct opposite: little strength, unskilled, or unable to withstand something.

For sheer strength, 「強い」 is the default. Use 「激しい」 for violent momentum, 「強力」 for powerful effect, 「丈夫」/「頑丈」 for sturdiness, 「強硬」 for hard-line stances, and 「手ごわい」 for a tough opponent.

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

1. 力ちからや技術ぎじゅつが他ほかに比くらべてまさっている。
2. 抵抗ていこうすることのできる、頑健がんけんである。
3. 程度ていどがおおきい、はなはだしい。
4. ある点てんですぐれている、得意とくいである。
5. ある点てんが強つよみである、特長とくちょうである、優位ゆういな点てんである、たのもしい。