Translation and Meaning of: 厚い - atsui

The Japanese word 厚い (あつい, atsui) is one of those that carry such rich meanings that they defy exact translation. If you've ever wondered how the Japanese express something thick, deep, or even a genuine human warmth, this kanji is the answer. In this article, you will discover not only the etymology and use of 厚い, but also how it appears in everyday Japan—ranging from physical descriptions to emotional metaphors. And if you use Anki to study, get ready to jot down practical phrases that will boost your vocabulary.

Origin and Structure of the Kanji 厚い

The kanji 厚 is composed of two visual elements: the radical 厂 (which represents a "cliff" or something "heavy") and 子 (originally associated with "layers"). Together, they paint the image of something accumulated, like piled earth — hence the connection to "thickness" or "depth". Curiously, this idea of density has extended to human relationships: a 厚い友情 (atsui yūjō) is a "dense" friendship, that is, solid and warm.

In ancient writing, this character appeared in classic Chinese texts to describe robust objects, such as walls or books. Over time, the Japanese adopted it and expanded its use to abstractions. Today, it is common to see it in formal invitations (厚くお礼申し上げます, "I deeply thank you") or even in product packaging (厚切り, "thickly sliced").

Lies in Japanese Everyday Life

Unlike Portuguese, where "warm" and "thick" are distinct words, あつい serves a dual purpose. On a winter day, a 厚い coat is essential, but the same word describes the hug of someone who welcomes you with warmth. This duality is so natural for the Japanese that it rarely causes confusion — the context always clarifies. For example, saying 彼の心は厚い (kare no kokoro wa atsui) does not mean that his heart is "thick," but rather "generous."

In business, the term appears in expressions of protocol gratitude, but it can also have an ironic touch. A customer complaining about a manual 説明書が厚すぎる (setsumeisho ga atsusugiru) is criticizing precisely the excess of information. On social media, young people use あつあつ (informal reduplication) for very attached couples — a modern adaptation of the original meaning.

Tips for Memorizing and Curiosities

To 厚い, associate the wide horizontal stroke at the top of the kanji with a “solid base.” A trick that worked for me was to create flashcards with images: on one side, a thick book; on the other, a hug. Also, take advantage of the identical pronunciation to 熱い ("hot"), but be careful — while this refers to temperature, 厚い is about density or emotional intensity.

A cultural curiosity: in Japan, gifting something thick (like a rug or comforter) symbolizes wishing comfort to others. And if you've seen ads for 厚揚げ (atsuage), extra-firm fried tofu, now you know that the "厚" there is not just marketing—it refers to the dense texture of the food. Want to test your knowledge? Try translating the phrase 厚い壁にぶつかった (atsui kabe ni butsukatta). If you thought "hit a thick wall" or "face a big difficulty," you hit the nail on the head.