激しい

• Reading: はげしい
• Romaji: hageshii
• Kanji breakdown: 激 (geki/hage) — violent, intense, fierce
• Pronunciation: /ha.ɡe.ɕiː/

Meaning

Intense; violent; fierce; severe. Describes extreme force, emotion, or degree.

An i-adjective used for strong physical or emotional intensity. Common collocations: 激しい雨 (heavy rain), 激しい運動 (intense exercise), 激しい競争 (fierce competition), 気性が激しい (having a fierce temperament). Conjugates regularly: 激しくなる (become intense), 激しかった (was intense). Stronger than 強い (tsuyoi) in conveying wild, uncontrolled force.

Examples

1. 昨夜は激しい雷雨で眠れなかった。 I couldn't sleep last night because of the intense thunderstorm.
2. 激しい運動の後はしっかり水分を取ってください。 Please make sure to hydrate after intense exercise.
3. 二人の間で激しい議論が続いた。 A heated argument continued between the two of them.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, sports, emotion, news

Tone: dramatic

Origin & History

From Old Japanese はげし (hageshi). The kanji 激 combines 氵 (water radical) and 敫 (to strike/scatter), originally depicting water striking violently against rocks — raw, powerful force.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal