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【No. 1672】Namaiki (生意気 - Impudent/Insolent)

Jul 17, 2019 20:13
Namaiki

Previously, I introduced the term sharakusai (しゃらくさい), which means "impudent" or "insolent."

To tell you the truth, sharakusai is rarely used by today's young people -- the most common Japanese term that means "impudent/insolent" is namaiki (生意気).

Nama (生) means that something is halfway or lukewarm, and iki (意気) means a positive attitude.

That is to say, the literal meaning of namaiki is to get out of line with a halfway attitude.

This term often used as an adjective that describes characteristics of "person," "speaking," or "attitude."
生意気

私は以前、"impudent" や "isolent" を意味する「しゃらくさい」という言葉を紹介しました。

「しゃらくさい」は現在ではあまり使われず、"impudent" や "insolent" に相当する最も一般的な日本語は「生意気」です。

「生」は何かが中途半端なこと、「意気」は積極的な心構えのことを意味します。

すなわち「生意気」は、「中途半端な心構えで出すぎた言動をとること」を意味するというわけです。

「生意気」は、「人」や「発言」、「態度」などの前につくことが多いです。

Corrections (1)

No. 1 Lythe
  • Namaiki (生意気 - Impudent/Insolent)
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Namaiki
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Previously, I introduced the term 'sharakusai' (しゃらくさい), which means "impudent" or "insolent."
  • Previously, I introduced the term 'sharakusai' (しゃらくさい), which means "impudent" or "insolent."

    Impudent isn't a common word. Where did you learn it? I had to look it up in a dictionary.

  • To tell you the truth, 'sharakusai' is rarely used by today's young people -- the most common Japanese term that means "impudent/insolent" is 'namaiki' (生意気).
  • To tell you the truth, 'sharakusai' is rarely used by today's young people - the most common Japanese term that means "impudent/insolent" is 'namaiki' (生意気).
  • 'Nama' (生) means that something is halfway or lukewarm, and 'iki' (意気) means a positive attitude.
  • 'Nama' (生) means that something is halfway, and 'iki' (意気) means a positive attitude.
  • That is to say, the literal meaning of 'namaiki' is to get out of line with a halfway attitude.
  • That is to say, the literal meaning of 'namaiki' is to step out of line with a halfway attitude.
  • This term often used as an adjective that describes characteristics of "person," "speaking," or "attitude."
  • This term often used as an adjective that describes the characteristics of a person, way of speaking, or attitude.
Toru
Thank you for the correction! :)
> Impudent isn't a common word. Where did you learn it?
I found this word when looking up the English translation of 生意気 in my dictionary.
Lythe
Oh okay. I recommend just using 'insolent'.
Toru
Thank you! (^^)

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