Antonym：かたい (katai) vs. やわらかい (yawarakai)

2022年4月6日

0406-2022-katai-vs-yawarakai-learn-japanese-online-how-to-speak-japanese-language-for-beginners-basic-study-in-japan

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Antonym：かたい (katai) vs. やわらかい (yawarakai)

What is the difference between What is the difference between “かたい(katai) and やわらかい(yawarakai)”? Which is used as the meaning of “stiff”? After reading this, you would be answering this question. Let me introduce what their subtle differences are and how you correctly use them such as native speakers today!

かたい (katai)

Stiff / 硬 / 딱딱하다 / Cứng

“かたい(katai)” means “Stiff” and which has been used as the meaning of “not easily bent or moved”. The basic ways to use it are that “___は/がかたい。(___ is stiff.)”, etc. For instance, “体からだがかたい。(My body is stiff.)”, “このいすはかたい。(This chair is stiff.)”, “肉にくはかたい。(The meat is tough.)”, etc. Everyone could use “かたい” as casual, polite and formal such as “体からだがかたいよ。(My body is stiff.)” as casual and “体からだがかたいです。(My body is stiff.)” as polite and formal. Kanji of “おおい” is “硬かたい” or “固かたい”.

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Sample

yuka

お肉にくが固かたくておいしくなかったよ。 (The meat was tough and not very good.) (这块肉很硬，不好吃。) (고기가 딱딱해서 맛있지 않았어.) (Thịt rất cứng và không ngon.)

tatsuya

体からだがかたいです。 (My body is stiff.) (我的身体很僵硬。) (몸이 굳었습니다.) (Cơ thể rắn chắc.)

yuka

このいすはかたいです。 (This chair is stiff.) (这把椅子很硬。) (이 의자는 단단합니다.) (Cái ghế này vững chắc.)

tatsuya

冷つめたくて固かたいね。 (It’s cold and hard, isn’t it?) (又冷又硬。) (차갑고 딱딱하네.) (Lạnh cứng đơ người luôn nhỉ.)

やわらかい (yawarakai)

Soft, Tender / 软 / 부드럽다 / Mềm

“やわらかい(yawarakai)” means “Soft and Tender” and which has been used as the meaning of “not hard or firm”. The basic ways to use it are that “___は/がやわらかい。(___ is soft/tender.)”, etc. For instance, “体からだがやわらかい。(My body is flexible.)”, “このいすはやわらかい。(This chair is soft.)”, “肉にくはやわらかい。(The meat is tender.)”, etc. Everyone could use “やわらかい” as casual, polite and formal such as “体からだがやわらかいよ。(My body is flexible.)” as casual and “体からだがやわらかいです。(My body is flexible.)” as polite and formal. Kanji of “やわらかい” is “柔やわらかい”.

Sample