Japanese symbol for “constricting”

In Japanese, constricting is きつい (kitsui).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

1. adj-i tough; hard; severe; demanding; harsh
2. adj-i determined; strong-minded; forceful; formidable; fierce
3. adj-i strong (e.g. sunlight, alcohol); severe; intense
4. adj-i (too) tight; constricting; close
5. adj-i extreme; unusually strong

Written forms: —. Readings: きつい、キツイ、キツい.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.