厚い

• Reading: あつい
• Romaji: atsui
• Kanji breakdown: 厚 (atsu/kō) — thick, deep, kind
• Pronunciation: /a.t͡sɯ.i/

Meaning

Thick; deep; heavy. Describes the thickness of objects like books, walls, and layers.

An i-adjective for physical thickness. Distinct from 暑い (hot weather) and 熱い (hot to touch), which share the same pronunciation あつい but use different kanji. 厚い describes the thickness of objects — a thick book, thick clothing, thick walls. Also used figuratively: 厚い信頼 (deep trust). Conjugates regularly: 厚くない, 厚かった.

Examples

1. この辞書はとても厚いです。 This dictionary is very thick.
2. 冬は厚いコートを着ます。 I wear a thick coat in winter.
3. 厚い雲が空を覆っています。 Thick clouds are covering the sky.

Usage Guide

Context: objects, descriptions, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 厚 depicts a thick cliff face or mound, conveying the idea of depth and substance. Used since ancient Japanese for both physical and metaphorical thickness.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal