深い

• Reading: ふかい
• Romaji: fukai
• Kanji breakdown: 深 (shin/fuka) — deep, profound
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.ka.i/

Meaning

Deep; profound. Describes physical depth or abstract profundity.

An i-adjective used for both physical and figurative depth. Physical: 深い川 (a deep river), 深い穴 (a deep hole). Figurative: 深い意味 (a deep meaning), 深い関係 (a deep relationship), 深い眠り (deep sleep). The antonym is 浅い (asai, shallow). Very versatile and frequently used across all registers.

Examples

1. この川は深いから気をつけてください。 This river is deep, so please be careful.
2. 先生の言葉には深い意味がある。 The teacher's words have a deep meaning.
3. 二人の間には深い信頼関係がある。 There is a deep bond of trust between the two of them.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, relationships, philosophy

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 深 combines 氵 (water radical) with 罙 (to probe/explore). Suggests water deep enough to require probing — the idea of going far below the surface.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal