堅苦しい

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 堅苦しい (かたくるしい) is an i-adjective meaning overly formal, stiff, or constrained by convention.
• Basic usage: It evaluates greetings, rules, clothing, or an atmosphere as too rigid to feel relaxed.
  • 堅苦しい挨拶は抜きにして話を始めよう。 — Let's skip the formal greetings and begin the discussion.
  • 服装まで堅苦しく考える必要はない。 — There is no need to be excessively rigid about clothing.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Formality and politeness
  • 丁寧 can positively mean polite and careful, whereas 堅苦しい often criticizes formality for feeling excessive or uncomfortable.