Translation guide
The English word "intensity" covers several related ideas: strength, force, concentration, and emotional depth. Japanese expresses these with different words depending on what is intense.
Describing how strong or powerful something like light, sound, heat, or an earthquake is.
General word for strength or intensity of physical phenomena. Can be used for light, sound, wind, etc.
Please adjust the intensity of the light.
地震の強さはマグニチュード7でした。
The intensity of the earthquake was magnitude 7.
Emphasizes violence or severity, often for natural phenomena like storms, rain, or battles.
嵐の激しさが増してきた。
The intensity of the storm is increasing.
Degree or level, often used in technical or formal contexts.
痛みの度合いを数値で表してください。
Please indicate the intensity of the pain on a scale.
Referring to how concentrated or dense something is, like color, flavor, or a substance.
Used for concentration of liquids, colors, flavors, etc.
このコーヒーは濃さがちょうどいい。
The intensity of this coffee is just right.
色の濃さを調整できます。
You can adjust the intensity of the color.
Also used for strength of flavor or smell, but 濃さ is more common for concentration.
香りの強さが違う。
The intensity of the scent is different.
Describing strong feelings, passion, or fervor.
Can describe intense emotions like anger, love, or hatred.
彼の怒りの激しさに驚いた。
I was surprised by the intensity of his anger.
General strength of feeling, but less dramatic than 激しさ.
彼女の愛情の強さを感じる。
I feel the intensity of her affection.
Enthusiasm or zeal, often for a cause or activity.
How vigorous or strenuous an action or process is.
For intense physical activity, competition, or conflict.
試合の激しさに圧倒された。
I was overwhelmed by the intensity of the match.
Often used in technical or sports contexts for measurable intensity, like exercise intensity.
運動の強度を上げすぎないでください。
Don't increase the intensity of the exercise too much.
強さ (つよさ) is the most general term for strength/intensity. 激しさ (はげしさ) implies violence or severity, often for natural phenomena or emotions. 濃さ (こさ) is specifically for concentration or density of substances, colors, flavors.
The intensity of his dedication to work is amazing.