えぐい

え

ぐ

い

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

i-adjective

harsh; acrid; pungent; astringent

usually written using kana alone

Describes a strong, unpleasant taste or sensation, like something bitter, astringent, or irritating to the throat.

この柿かきはまだ熟じゅくしてなくて、えぐい味あじがする。
This persimmon isn't ripe yet and has a harsh, astringent taste.

i-adjective

sharp; biting; harsh

usually written using kana alonecolloquial

Used for language, questions, or remarks that are cutting, severe, or hurtful. Colloquial.

彼かれのえぐい質しつ問もんに、みんな黙だまってしまった。
Everyone fell silent at his biting question.

i-adjective

nasty; gross; disgusting; brutal

usually written using kana alonecolloquial

Colloquial; expresses that something is shockingly unpleasant, cruel, or morally repulsive, often in a vivid way.

あの映えい画がのラストシーン、えぐすぎて直ちょく視しできなかった。
The final scene of that movie was so brutal I couldn't watch it.

i-adjective

awesome; amazing; incredible; cool

usually written using kana aloneslang

Slang; a positive intensifier used mainly by younger speakers to express that something is extremely good or impressive.

この曲きょく、えぐいくらいかっこいい！
This song is insanely cool!

Written forms

えぐいUsage48%
Standard kana spelling; the word is usually written in kana.
エグいUsage52%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling common in casual writing, especially for slang senses.
刳えぐい
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; not commonly used.
蘞えぐい
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; not commonly used.
醶えぐい
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; not commonly used.

Kanji

刳clear, serene, cold
蘞wild vine, vitis pentaphylla
醶

Similar words

渋しぶい
渋い describes a refined, pleasant astringency (like good tea) or a tasteful, understated quality, while えぐい is harsh and unpleasant.
辛からい
辛い means spicy or salty; えぐい is more about a raw, irritating harshness rather than heat or saltiness.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. It may be related to the verb 抉る (えぐる, 'to gouge'), suggesting a sharp, piercing quality. The kanji forms are rare and not etymologically transparent.