Translation and Meaning of: 心強い - kokoroduyoi

The Japanese word 心強い (こころづよい, kokorodzuyoi) carries a deep and emotional meaning, often used to express confidence, inner security, or moral . If you've ever wondered how the Japanese convey the feeling of "having a strengthened heart" in challenging situations, this article will explore everything from the composition of the kanji to the everyday use of this expression. Here at Suki Nihongo, we aim to uncover not just literal translations, but also the cultural context behind like this.

Meaning and translation of 心強い

Translated approximately, 心強い means "encouraging," "comforting," or "that gives courage." Unlike words like 強い (strong) or 勇敢 (brave), it does not describe a physical characteristic or bold attitude, but rather an emotional state of security that arises from external or internal conviction. For example, a friend who says "あなたがいて心強い" (your presence strengthens me) is expressing gratitude for the comfort that the other person provides.

It's important to note that the translation into English can vary depending on the context. In professional situations, it may correspond to "reassuring," while in personal relationships, it takes on nuances of "emotional ." This semantic flexibility is common in Japanese that involve complex feelings.

Kanji and structure of 心強い

The word is composed of two kanjis: 心 (heart, mind) and 強い (strong). Together, they form an adjective that literally suggests "strengthened heart." The kun'yomi reading (こころづよい) is more common than the on'yomi (shin-kyou), indicating a usage rooted in everyday language rather than technical or formal .

Analyzing the components, 心 appears in various words related to emotions, such as 安心 (anshin, security) or 心配 (shinpai, worry). Meanwhile, 強い is a basic adjective meaning "strong," but here it takes on a metaphorical sense. This combination reflects how Japanese often associates strength with emotional resilience.

Cultural usage and frequency

In Japan, 心強い is used in both informal conversations and motivational speeches, such as at graduation ceremonies or team meetings. Corpus linguistics research shows that it appears with moderate frequency — less than like 嬉しい (happy), but more than literary synonyms like 勇ましい (brave).

Culturally, the word resonates with Japanese values of interdependence (相互依存). Unlike cultures that emphasize self-sufficiency, expressing that someone makes you feel 心強い is socially accepted and even encouraged. There are records of its use in mangas like "My Hero Academia," where characters describe allies as "心強い味方" (ive companions).