Does 鉄拳 mean "fist" or "iron fist"? The kanji for seems to suggest that the word means "iron fist". However, various dictionaries suggests that the meaning is simply "fist". For example, Edict shows that the meaning for is "fist", and the meaning for is "punishment by striking with fist". Kotobank, Excite.co.jp, and Goo also show that the meaning is "a (clenched) fist". Does mean "fist" or "iron fist"? How does it's meaning and usage compare with ()?

An excerpt from 's definition for :

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In short, means fist, while means more specifically a _tightly clenched_ fist. This should come as no surprise to you, as you've already looked it up in dictionaries which say so.

It's true that it literally means "iron fist", but it isn't generally used for its literal meaning. Instead, it's figurative: when you tightly clench your fist, it's strong and unyielding like a fist of iron.