Translation guide
Describes hot, humid weather or a person/appearance that is sexually attractive in a dark, mysterious way.
Describe weather that is oppressively hot and humid, often with a sense of stillness.
The most common and natural way to describe hot, humid, and stuffy weather. It emphasizes the discomfort of humidity.
A verb meaning 'to be humid/stuffy'. Often used to describe the weather or a room. More casual than 蒸し暑い.
今日は蒸すね。
It's sultry today, huh.
A 'tropical night', specifically when the temperature doesn't drop below 25°C. Used in weather forecasts and news.
Describe a person, especially a woman, or their appearance as sexually attractive in a dark, mysterious, or passionate way.
蒸し暑い focuses on humidity and heat, while 暑苦しい emphasizes the oppressive, stuffy feeling that makes you uncomfortable. 暑苦しい can also describe a person's overbearing personality.
梅雨の時期は蒸し暑い。
It's sultry during the rainy season.
満員電車は暑苦しい。
A packed train is sultry and stuffy.
蒸し暑い only describes weather or environments. Using it to describe a person would be unnatural and confusing. For a sultry person, use 色っぽい or 妖艶.
今日は本当に蒸し暑いですね。
It's really sultry today, isn't it?
蒸し暑い夜はなかなか寝付けない。
On sultry nights, I can't fall asleep easily.
Literally 'hot and stuffy', implying an oppressive, uncomfortable heat. Can also describe a person's demeanor (overbearing).
この部屋は暑苦しいから窓を開けよう。
This room is sultry, so let's open a window.
今夜は熱帯夜になるでしょう。
Tonight will be a sultry night.
Describes someone or something as sexy, sensual, or alluring. It carries a nuance of mature charm and can be used for both appearance and behavior.
彼女の色っぽい視線にドキッとした。
Her sultry gaze made my heart skip a beat.
あの女優はとても色っぽい声をしている。
That actress has a very sultry voice.
A more literary or formal word meaning bewitching, voluptuous, or enchantingly beautiful. Often used to describe a femme fatale type.
彼女は妖艶な魅力を放っていた。
She exuded a sultry charm.
Literally 'troubling' or 'tantalizing', it describes a seductive, provocative beauty that stirs desire. Often used for poses or expressions.
彼女の悩ましいポーズに目を奪われた。
I was captivated by her sultry pose.
A direct loanword from English 'sexy'. Very common and casual, but lacks the dark/mysterious nuance of 'sultry'. Use with caution if you want to emphasize that nuance.
Does not fully capture the 'dark/mysterious' nuance of 'sultry'. Use 色っぽい for a closer match.
そのドレス、すごくセクシーだね。
That dress is really sexy.