心強い

• Reading: こころづよい
• Romaji: kokorozuyoi
• Kanji breakdown: 心 (kokoro) — heart, inner self; 強 (tsuyoi) — strong, powerful
• Pronunciation: /ko.ko.ɾo.dzɯ.jo.i/

Meaning

Reassuring; encouraging; heartening. Describes the feeling of confidence and security that comes from having reliable support.

An i-adjective formed from 心 (kokoro — heart, mind) and 強い (tsuyoi — strong). It describes the subjective experience of having one's heart made strong by the presence or support of someone or something. Contrasted with 心細い (anxious, feeling alone), 心強い conveys the relief and confidence of knowing you are not facing a challenge alone.

Examples

1. 大事な発表の前に仲間が集まってくれたのは、とても心強かった。 Having my friends gather before my big presentation was incredibly reassuring.
2. 経験豊富な先生が隣でサポートしてくれると、本当に心強い。 Having an experienced teacher right beside me offering support is truly encouraging.
3. 心強い援軍が到着し、戦況は一転して有利になった。 With the arrival of heartening reinforcements, the tide of battle turned in our favor.

Usage Guide

Context: teamwork, support relationships, competition, everyday speech

Tone: warm, grateful

Origin & History

Compound of 心 (kokoro — heart, inner self) and 強い (tsuyoi — strong). The image is of one's heart being made strong — bolstered by the presence or support of someone dependable.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal