Entry
ずっしり
zusshiri
ずっしり (zusshiri) describes something that feels genuinely heavy, solid, or has a significant impact, both physically and emotionally.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
The Japanese mimetic word ずっしり (zusshiri) is used to express the impression of physical heaviness, solidity, or substantiality. Beyond physical weight, it can also describe something with emotional weight or profound impact, such as a weighty thought or a meaningful silence. It emphasizes a sense of density or powerful presence that is not trivial.
- Describes physical weight and density.
- Describes profound emotional or intellectual impact.
Sense Map
Physical Weight/Presence
Describes something that feels genuinely heavy when lifted or touched, or something that appears substantial and solid.
ずっしり重い荷物
Profound Impact
Describes a deep emotional feeling, a weighty thought, or a significant and lasting impression.
ずっしりと心に響く言葉
Usage Note
How to Use
ずっしり [と] + verb
Used adverbially to describe an action performed 'heavily' or 'substantially'. The particle と (to) is optional and emphasizes the meaning. Example: ずっしりと座る (to sit heavily).
ずっしりした + noun
Used as an adjectival phrase to describe a noun that possesses the quality of being 'heavy,' 'solid,' or 'substantial'. Example: ずっしりした本 (a thick, heavy book).
ずっしりする
Used as a verb phrase to indicate that something 'becomes heavy' or 'feels heavy/solid'. Example: 荷物がずっしりする (the luggage feels heavy).
How to Use
Common Phrases
ずっしり重い
very heavy
ずっしりと響く
resonate profoundly
ずっしりした存在感
substantial presence
ずっしりと構える
take a solid/heavy stance
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Holding a heavy object. | Neutral/Objective | Emphasizes the physical weight and solid feel of the object, indicating it is not flimsy. |
| Feeling a deep emotion or impact. | Neutral/Emotional | Describes a profound emotional state, a heavy feeling in one's heart, or words that leave a significant impression. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ずしっと ずしっと / similar | Use ずしっと when emphasizing a sudden, heavy impact or a distinct, heavy sensation, often with a slight sound or feeling of movement. ずっしり is more about a continuous, static heaviness. | Not simply 'heavy.' While similar in meaning, ずしっと implies a more abrupt or momentary perception of heaviness or impact. | 地面にずしっと落ちる |
ふわり ふわり / opposite | Use ふわり to describe something light, soft, floating, or gently appearing, contrasting with the heaviness or solidity of ずっしり. | Not just 'light.' It conveys a sense of softness, gentleness, or floating motion, rather than merely a lack of weight. | 羽がふわりと舞う |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ずっしり for things that are simply 'heavy' but lack the nuance of 'substantiality' or 'impact.'
ずっしり implies a weight that is significant, noticeable, and often conveys a sense of solidity, importance, or depth. It's more than just 'heavy.'
Confusing ずっしり with words describing light, airy, or insubstantial feelings.
ずっしり is fundamentally about heaviness, density, or profoundness. For light, fluffy, or gentle sensations, use words like ふんわり or さらっと.
Examples
Examples
その金塊はずっしりと手に重かった。
そのきんかいはずっしりとてにおもかった。
The gold bar felt genuinely heavy in my hand.
LiteralDescribes the heavy, solid feel of the gold bar in hand.
ずっしりした木の机は部屋に落ち着きを与えた。
ずっしりしたきのつくえはへやにおちつきをあたえた。
The substantial wooden desk gave the room a sense of calm.
VisualRefers to the substantial, solid appearance and feel of a wooden desk, giving a sense of stability.
彼の言葉はずっしりと心に響き、深く考えさせられた。
かれのことばはずっしりとにこころにひびき、ふかくかんがえさせられた。
His words resonated profoundly in my heart, making me think deeply.
FigurativeImplies that his words had a profound and weighty emotional impact.
雪がずっしりと積もり、枝がしなった。
ゆきがずっしりつつもり、えだがしなった。
Snow accumulated heavily, causing branches to bend.
LiteralDescribes the heavy accumulation of snow, causing branches to bend.
会議室にはずっしりとした沈黙が流れていた。
かいぎしつにはずっしりとしたちんもくがながれていた。
A heavy silence hung in the meeting room.
FigurativeConveys a heavy, profound silence or serious atmosphere in the meeting room.
Similar Words
ずしっと
zushitto
ずっしり focuses more on continuous, static heaviness, whereas ずしっと often implies a sudden or distinct moment of heavy sensation.
Questions
Is ずっしり only for physical weight?
No, while often used for physical weight, it can also describe emotional or intellectual depth and impact, such as a profound silence or weighty words.
Can ずっしり be used for light objects?
No, ずっしり specifically emphasizes heaviness, substantiality, or profoundness. It would not be used for things that are light or flimsy.
What's the difference between ずっしり and ただ重い (tada omoi, simply heavy)?
ずっしり conveys a sense of significant, solid, or profound weight/presence, implying it's noticeably heavy and not insubstantial. ただ重い simply states the fact of being heavy without this added nuance.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1006370
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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