Meaning and Usage
"強烈" (きょうれつ) is a N1-level adjective used to describe something very strong, intense, or severe. It often conveys a sense of power or impact that is hard to ignore.
Common Contexts
You will find "強烈" used to describe strong opinions, intense feelings, vivid personalities, or powerful physical sensations like sunlight or smells.
Collocations and Patterns
- 強烈な印象 (きょうれつないんしょう): a strong impression, used when something leaves a deep impact.
- 強烈な個性 (きょうれつなこせい): a strong personality, emphasizing uniqueness or intensity.
- 強烈な日差し (きょうれつなひざし): intense sunlight, describing harsh or powerful sun rays.
Register and Nuance
"強烈" is formal and often used in written or formal spoken Japanese. It is more emphatic than just "強い" (strong) and implies a notable or overwhelming strength.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "強烈" with "激烈" (げきれつ), which also means intense but often implies conflict or competition. Use "強烈" for strong sensory or emotional impact rather than aggressive intensity.