渋 (sè) - Japanese kanji for 'astringent', 'rough', 'harsh', 'reluctant', 'hesitant' & also used in words meaning congestion or obstruction.

渋Tone 4

sè ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

三姗

渋 · sè

Japanese kanji for 'astringent', 'rough', 'harsh', 'reluctant', 'hesitant';

also used in words meaning congestion or obstruction.

Japanese kanji for 'astringent', 'rough', 'harsh', 'reluctant', 'hesitant'also used in words meaning congestion or obstruction.

Usage highlights

Astringent tasteTraffic jamReluctant agreementBitter faceHarsh persimmonFinancial difficulty

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This persimmon tastes astringent (渋い柿).
  • He has a bitter expression (渋い顔).
  • Traffic congestion during rush hour (ラッシュアワーの渋滞).
  • She reluctantly agreed to the proposal (渋々承諾した).

Collocations

  • Astringent taste(渋味)
  • Traffic jam(渋滞)
  • Reluctant agreement(渋々)
  • Bitter face(渋い顔)
  • Harsh persimmon(渋柿)
  • Financial difficulty(金銭的渋り)

Idioms

  • Grin and bear it(渋い顔をする)
  • A bitter pill to swallow(渋い現実)
  • Money doesn't come easily(金の出入りが渋い)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Japanese culture, '渋い' (shibui) describes a sophisticated, subdued aesthetic that values subtlety and maturity.
  • The character is primarily used in Japanese and rarely appears in modern Chinese texts.
  • Shibui aesthetic represents traditional Japanese values of understated elegance and refined simplicity.

FAQ