Meaning and Usage
The adjective かゆい describes the sensation of itchiness or something causing an itch. It is commonly used to talk about physical discomfort on the skin, such as from insect bites, allergies, or dryness.
Common Collocations
- かゆいところに手が届く: Literally "reach the itchy spot," meaning to provide exactly what someone needs or wants.
- かゆいのを我慢する: To endure or tolerate the itch.
- かゆい部分: The itchy part of the body.
Register and Nuance
かゆい is a casual to neutral adjective used in everyday conversation. It is not formal but perfectly acceptable in polite speech when combined with polite forms.
Usage Tips
When using かゆい, it often appears with body parts (腕がかゆい, 目がかゆい). It can also be used metaphorically in expressions like かゆいところに手が届く to describe attentive service or solutions.
A common learner mistake is confusing かゆい (itchy) with 痛い (painful). Remember かゆい relates to itchiness, not pain.