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渋
渋
11 strokes
Frequency: 1011
JLPT N1
Grade 8

Meanings

astringent
hesitate
reluctant
have diarrhea

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds
ジュウ
シュウ
Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words
しぶ
しぶ.い
しぶ.る

Common Words

渋々
渋渋
しぶしぶ
Adverb
～と Adverb
Freq #6645
1

reluctantly; unwillingly

Examples
私は、しぶしぶ彼の言うことを聞いてやった。
I listened to him reluctantly.
渋い
しぶい
～い Adj.
Freq #7053
1

astringent; bitter; puckery; rough; harsh; tart

2

austere; elegant (and unobtrusive); refined; quiet (and simple); sober; sombre; subdued; tasteful (in a quiet way); understated

Examples
僕的にはもっと地味ってか渋い服が欲しいんですけどね。
For my tastes, I'd prefer plainer, or rather, more tasteful clothing.
まず目に飛び込んできたのは、大きなソファだ。渋い色の革張りで、座面も背もたれもゆったりしている。
The first thing that came to my attention was the large sofa. It was covered in sober-coloured leather, and the seat and the back both looked wide and comfortable.
3

sour (look); glum; grim; sullen; sulky

4

stingy; tight-fisted

渋谷
しぶや
Noun
Freq #11828
1

Shibuya City (special ward of Tokyo); Shibuya

渋る
しぶる
Godan verb
Freq #11856
1

Transitive verb

to be reluctant (to do); to be unwilling (to do); to hesitate (to do); to grudge; to be tardy (in doing); to put off (doing)

Examples
役員達はそんな危険な事業に乗り出すのをしぶった。
The directors were reluctant to undertake so risky a venture.
2

Intransitive verb

to falter; to slacken; to slow down

3

Intransitive verb

to have a frequent urge to defecate but difficulty passing stool; to suffer from tenesmus

苦渋
くじゅう
Noun
Freq #15553
1

Noun or participle which takes the aux. verb suru; Intransitive verb; Nouns which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

bitterness; distress; pain; anguish; affliction

Examples
だからまあ、学生会としても苦渋の決断てやつなんだ。わかってやってくれ。
So, well, it's a bitter decision for the student council to make as well. Give 'em a break.
2

bitterness and astringency

渋い顔をする
しぶいかおをする
Expression
する Verb
Freq #17305
1

to frown (on); to be grim-faced; to look sullen

Examples
うちの課長は私が何かを頼むといつも渋い顔をするんだ。
Our section chief always makes a face at me when I ask him for something.
渋滞
じゅうたい
～する Verb
Noun
Intransitive
Freq #18648
1

(traffic) congestion; traffic jam; gridlock

Examples
渋滞で遅れました。
I was delayed by a traffic jam.
2

delay; stagnation

渋面
じゅうめん
しぶづら
しぶつら
Noun
～の Adj.
Freq #19236
1

grimace; sullen face

Examples
彼は渋面を作り、教師の話を聞いていた。
He made a sour face, and listened to what his teacher had to say.
渋
しぶ
Noun
Freq #33270
1

kakishibu; astringent persimmon juice used as a dye or to treat wood, paper, etc.

渋み
渋味
しぶみ
Noun
Freq #37524
1

astringency; tartness

2

austere elegance; elegant simplicity; subdued style; quiet taste; refinement

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