窮屈

• Reading: きゅうくつ
• Romaji: kyuukutsu
• Kanji breakdown: 窮 (kyū) — cornered, exhausted, in difficulty; 屈 (kutsu) — bend, yield
• Pronunciation: /kʲɯː.kɯ.t͡sɯ/

Meaning

Tight; cramped; narrow. Also describes a stiff, uncomfortable social atmosphere.

A na-adjective with both physical and figurative uses. Physically, it describes tight clothing (窮屈な靴 — tight shoes) or cramped spaces (窮屈な部屋 — a cramped room). Figuratively, it describes situations where one feels socially constrained or unable to relax (窮屈な雰囲気 — a stiff atmosphere). Both senses convey a lack of freedom.

Examples

1. このシャツは窮屈で腕が動かしにくい。 This shirt is so tight that it's hard to move my arms.
2. 狭い部屋に五人もいると窮屈だ。 Five people in a small room is really cramped.
3. 堅苦しいルールが多くて窮屈に感じる。 There are so many rigid rules that it feels stifling.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, clothing, social situations, complaints

Tone: uncomfortable

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 窮 (kyū, to be cornered/to be in difficulty) + 屈 (kutsu, to bend/to yield). The image is of being forced to bend in a confined space — physically or socially constrained.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal