Translation guide
The English word "heavy" covers a wide range of meanings, from physical weight to abstract intensity. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese expressions for each sense, helping you choose the right word depending on what is heavy.
Describing an object that weighs a lot.
The most common and general word for physical heaviness.
この箱は重い。
This box is heavy.
重い荷物を持って階段を上るのは大変だ。
Carrying heavy luggage up the stairs is tough.
Literally "has weight," used in more formal or technical contexts.
この機械はかなり重量がある。
This machine is quite heavy.
Describing weather, traffic, or other phenomena that are intense or abundant.
Used for intense rain, wind, competition, etc. Not for physical weight.
激しい雨が降っている。
It's raining heavily.
交通量が激しい。
Traffic is heavy.
Simply means "a lot," used for heavy traffic, heavy casualties, etc.
Specifically for heavy snow.
Describing food that feels heavy in the stomach.
Can be used for food that feels heavy, but often sounds a bit direct.
この料理はちょっと重いね。
This dish is a bit heavy, isn't it?
Describes food that sits heavy in the stomach, causing indigestion.
Rich, heavy, and thick in flavor/texture, often for ramen or stews.
こってりしたラーメンが食べたい。
I want to eat heavy, rich ramen.
Describing psychological weight, duty, or a gloomy mood.
Describing a person who consumes a lot of something.
Loanword from English, commonly used in compounds like ヘビースモーカー.
彼はヘビースモーカーだ。
He is a heavy smoker.
Specifically for a heavy drinker.
Describing a schedule or workload that is demanding.
Loanword meaning tough, demanding, or intense.
今日のスケジュールはハードだ。
Today's schedule is heavy / tough.
Means tough, demanding, or strenuous.
この仕事はきつい。
This job is heavy / demanding.
Literally "overcrowded," used for extremely packed schedules.
Describing a sound that is deep, resonant, or loud.
Can describe a deep, heavy sound or voice.
重い音が響いた。
A heavy sound echoed.
Simply means low-pitched, often used for voices.
Slang for a menacing, heavy voice, often used for yakuza characters.
ドスのきいた声で脅された。
I was threatened in a heavy, menacing voice.
Describing eyes that feel heavy due to sleepiness.
Used directly for heavy eyelids.
まぶたが重い。
My eyelids are heavy.
More descriptive: "so sleepy I can't open my eyes."
眠くて目が開かない。
I'm so sleepy my eyes feel heavy.
While 重い can be used metaphorically, it doesn't cover all senses of "heavy." For rain, traffic, or smoking, other words are more natural. Using 重い for rain (重い雨) sounds unnatural; use 激しい雨 instead.
重い is for physical weight or emotional burden. 激しい is for intensity of action or natural phenomena. Compare: 重い荷物 (heavy luggage) vs. 激しい雨 (heavy rain).
このスーツケースは本当に重い。
This suitcase is really heavy.
今朝は交通量が多かった。
The traffic was heavy this morning.
あのピザを食べたら胃がもたれる。
I feel heavy after eating that pizza.
Traffic is heavy.
明日は大雪の予報だ。
Heavy snow is forecast for tomorrow.
Greasy food sits heavy on my stomach.
彼は重圧に押しつぶされそうだ。
He seems crushed by the heavy pressure.
Describes an oppressive, heavy atmosphere or feeling.
重苦しい沈黙が続いた。
A heavy silence continued.
彼は大酒飲みだ。
He is a heavy drinker.
Chain smoker, even heavier than a regular heavy smoker.
彼はチェーンスモーカーで、一日に三箱吸う。
He's a chain smoker and smokes three packs a day.
I'm tired from the heavy schedule.
He spoke in a heavy / deep voice.