Meaning and Usage
The adjective 激しい (はげしい) describes something intense, violent, or strong in degree. It is often used to describe natural phenomena like weather (rain, wind), physical actions (exercise, movement), or emotional states (arguments, feelings).
Common Collocations
- 激しい雨 (はげしいあめ): heavy rain
- 激しい運動 (はげしいうんどう): intense exercise
- 激しい議論 (はげしいぎろん): heated argument
These collocations show how 激しい emphasizes the strength or intensity of the noun it modifies.
Register and Nuance
激しい is a neutral adjective suitable for both spoken and written Japanese. It conveys a strong degree but is not overly formal or literary.
Learner Tips
A common confusion is mixing 激しい with similar words like 強い (つよい), which means "strong." 激しい emphasizes intensity or violence, often temporary or dynamic, while 強い can describe strength in a more general or static sense. For example, 激しい雨 means heavy or violent rain, whereas 強い雨 might simply mean strong rain but less commonly used.
Use 激しい when you want to highlight the forceful or intense nature of something.