tsurai

Tsurai (つらい), also written 辛い, is a native Japanese i-adjective meaning painful, hard to bear, or distressing. It describes experiences, situations, or feelings that are emotionally or physically difficult to endure. The nuance often implies sustained hardship or emotional strain more than simple discomfort.

Usage and meanings

Tsurai can refer to physical discomfort as well as emotional states. It commonly appears in phrases such as つらい思い (painful feelings), つらい経験 (a hard experience), and つらい時 (a difficult time). It is distinct from 痛い (itai), which centers on actual physical pain, though context can blur the boundary. In writing, 辛い is a frequent kanji form for this meaning; when referring to food, 辛い is read karai (spicy), illustrating a common dual reading for the same character depending on sense.

Grammar

As an i-adjective, つらい follows standard conjugation patterns: present つらい, past つらかった, negative つらくない, te-form つらくて. Adverbial use is つらく, as in つらくて泣きそうだ (I’m so troubled I almost cried). It commonly appears in statements about ongoing hardship, personal struggle, or emotional responses to events.

Notes

While widely used in everyday speech, つらい can carry a strong, personal emotional weight and may be perceived as more intense than mild dissatisfaction. It is versatile for describing both enduring hardship and momentary distress, depending on context.