形容詞・評価

そんなばかばかしいばかばかしい話はなしを信しんじる人ひとはいない。

Nobody believes such a ridiculous story.

Usage ばかばかしい is 'absurd, not worth taking seriously': ばかばかしくて話にならない (too ridiculous to discuss). ばかな is closer to 'stupid'; ばかばかしい stresses pointlessness.

Remember it ばか (fool) doubled → so foolish it's foolish twice over.

彼かれの説明せつめいはでたらめでたらめで、事実じじつと全まったく違ちがう。

His explanation is complete nonsense and totally different from the facts.

Usage でたらめ is made-up or random nonsense: でたらめを言う (talk rubbish), でたらめな数字 (made-up figures). It is stronger than 適当 (sloppy), because it implies the thing is flat-out false.

Remember it Often written with ateji 出鱈目: 出 (out) + 目 (eyes of the dice). Whatever comes up on the dice, with no truth behind it.

服装ふくそうがだらしないだらしないと、面接めんせつで損そんをする。

If you're sloppily dressed, it counts against you in an interview.

Usage だらしない is sloppy or undisciplined: だらしない格好 (scruffy clothes), だらしない生活 (a messy lifestyle), お金にだらしない (careless with money).

Remember it Hear だらだら (lazily dragging on): someone who lets everything droop and drag.

列れつに割わり込こむとはずうずうしいずうずうしい態度たいどだ。

Cutting in line is a brazen thing to do.

Usage ずうずうしい = shameless, pushy, with no sense of restraint: ずうずうしいお願い (a cheeky request). 厚かましい (あつかましい) is a close synonym. The opposite is 遠慮深い (reserved).

Remember it Written 図々しい. Picture 図 (a big drawing) sprawling over the whole page, twice: someone who takes up more than their share of space.

憎らしいにくらしいことに、彼かれはいつも正しいただしい。

Annoyingly, he's always right.

Usage 憎らしい is often half-playful: irritating, provoking envy or annoyance: 憎らしいほど上手い (so good it's annoying). 憎い is real hatred.

Remember it 憎 (to hate) + らしい (seeming) → seeming hateful, but not truly hated.

裏切ったうらぎった彼かれのことが憎くてにくくて仕方しかたない。

I can't help hating him for betraying me.

Usage 憎い is genuine hatred: 憎くて仕方ない (I can't stand them). The noun is 憎しみ (hatred). 嫌い (きらい) is simple dislike. Oddly, 憎い can also praise something cleverly done: 憎い演出.

Remember it 忄 (heart) + 曽 (piled up) → resentment piled up in the heart.

険しいけわしい山道やまみちを登るのぼるのは大変たいへんだった。

Climbing the steep mountain path was tough.

Usage 険しい = steep and dangerous for terrain: 険しい山道; stern for a face: 険しい顔 (a grim look); and hard for a road ahead: 険しい道のり.

Remember it 阝 (hill) + 険's right side (sharp, pointed) → a hill with sharp, dangerous slopes. The same 険 as 危険 (danger).

ネジねじが緩いゆるいから締め直してしめなおしてください。

The screw is loose, so please tighten it again.

Usage 緩い = loose or slack: ネジが緩い, 緩い坂 (a gentle slope), 緩いルール (lax rules). The verb 緩む means to loosen, and 締める (しめる) means to tighten.

Remember it 糸 (thread) + 爰 (to pull gently) → thread pulled only gently, so it's slack.

鈍いにぶい痛みいたみが続いてつづいている。

A dull pain continues.

Usage 鈍い = dull or slow: 鈍いナイフ (a blunt knife), 反応が鈍い (slow reactions), 鈍い痛み (a dull ache). 鈍感 (どんかん) means insensitive or oblivious. Opposite: 鋭い.

Remember it 金 (metal) + 屯 (to stay, stuck) → metal that stays stuck, a blunt blade.

彼女かのじょは鋭いするどい観察眼かんさつがんを持っているもっている。

She has a sharp eye for observation.

Usage 鋭い = sharp: 鋭いナイフ, 鋭い指摘 (a sharp remark), 勘が鋭い (keen intuition). Opposite: 鈍い. 敏感 (びんかん) means sensitive.

Remember it 金 (metal) + 兑 (to pierce) → metal that pierces, a sharp edge.

言葉ことばが荒いあらいので、周囲しゅういの人ひとが引いてひいてしまう。

His language is so rough that people around him are put off.

Usage 荒い is rough or violent in action or manner: 言葉が荒い, 波が荒い (rough waves), 金遣いが荒い (spends money recklessly). 粗い (same reading) is coarse in texture.

Remember it 艹 (grass) + 亡 (ruin) + 川 (river) → wild grass and flooding rivers. The wild, rough state of nature.

強引にごういんに話はなしを進めるすすめるのはよくない。

It's not good to push a discussion through by force.

Usage 強引 means pushing ahead by force, ignoring others: 強引に進める, 強引な勧誘 (aggressive selling). 無理やり is the casual equivalent.

Remember it 強 (strong) + 引 (to pull) → pulling hard, dragging others along.

勝手なかってな行動こうどうはチームチームに迷惑めいわくをかける。

Acting selfishly causes trouble for the team.

Usage 勝手 is doing as you please without asking: 勝手な行動, 勝手に使う (use without permission), 自分勝手 (selfish). Neutral uses: 勝手にドアが開いた (the door opened on its own), 使い勝手 (ease of use).

Remember it 勝 (to win) + 手 (hand) → your hand always wins. You do whatever you like.

交渉こうしょうでは強気なつよきな態度たいどが必要ひつようなこともある。

In negotiations, a firm, confident attitude is sometimes necessary.

Usage 強気 is a bold, assertive stance, often positive in business: 強気な態度, 強気に出る (take a hard line). Its opposite is 弱気 (よわき, timid).

Remember it 強 (strong) + 気 (spirit) → a strong spirit.

父ちちは頑固ながんこな人ひとで、意見いけんを変えないかえない。

My father is a stubborn man who never changes his mind.

Usage 頑固 = stubborn, unyielding: 頑固な人, 頑固親父 (a stubborn old man). It can also describe a persistent stain or illness: 頑固な汚れ.

Remember it 頑 (obstinate) + 固 (hard) → hard-headed and obstinate.

過剰なかじょうなストレスストレスは健康けんこうに悪いわるい。

Excessive stress is bad for your health.

Usage 過剰 is too much, beyond what is needed: 過剰反応 (overreaction), 自意識過剰 (overly self-conscious), 供給過剰 (oversupply). Its opposite is 不足 (shortage).

Remember it 過 (to exceed) + 剰 (surplus) → exceeding into surplus.

これは重大なじゅうだいな問題もんだいなので、早急にさっきゅうに対処たいしょが必要ひつようだ。

This is a serious problem, so it needs to be dealt with urgently.

Usage 重大 stresses weight and consequences: 重大な事故, 重大な責任, 重大発表 (a major announcement). 深刻 stresses how grave and hard to solve something is.

Remember it 重 (heavy) + 大 (big) → heavy and big in its consequences.

少子化しょうしかの問題もんだいは深刻なしんこくな社会しゃかい問題もんだいだ。

The falling birthrate is a serious social problem.

Usage 深刻 is grave, worrying and hard to fix: 深刻な問題, 深刻な顔 (a troubled look). Use it for social issues and illnesses; use 重大 for something important or consequential.

Remember it 深 (deep) + 刻 (to carve) → carved deep. A problem that cuts deep.

気楽なきらくな気持ちきもちで参加さんかしてください。

Please come along and join in with a relaxed mind.

Usage 気楽 = carefree, relaxed: 気楽に考える (don't overthink it), 気楽な一人暮らし. Unlike 安易, it is positive.

Remember it 気 (mind) + 楽 (easy, comfortable) → a mind at ease.

安易なあんいな解決策かいけつさくでは問題もんだいは解決かいけつしない。

Easy, half-baked solutions won't solve the problem.

Usage 安易 is taking the easy way without thinking it through, and it is negative: 安易な考え, 安易に決める. Compare 気楽 (relaxed, positive) and 簡単 (simply easy).

Remember it 安 (cheap, easy) + 易 (easy) → easy on top of easy. Too easy to be trusted.

穏やかなおだやかな海うみが広がってひろがっていた。

A calm sea stretched out before us.

Usage 穏やか is calm and gentle for people, weather and seas: 穏やかな性格 (a mild temperament), 穏やかな天気. 穏やかではない is an understatement for 'alarming'.

Remember it 禾 (grain) + 心 (heart) at the bottom of the right side → a heart at rest once the grain is safely in. Peaceful.

曖昧なあいまいな返事へんじばかりで、本当ほんとうのことがわからないわからない。

All I get are vague answers, so I don't know what the truth is.

Usage 曖昧 = vague, ambiguous: 曖昧な返事, 曖昧にする (leave it fuzzy), 記憶が曖昧 (hazy memory). はっきり is the opposite.

Remember it Both kanji carry 日 (sun): 曖 and 昧 each mean dim or dark. Two faint suns, nothing clear.

素直なすなおな子供こどもはみんなにみんなに好かれるすかれる。

Children who are open and good-natured are liked by everyone.

Usage 素直 is honest and unguarded, taking things as they are: 素直な子, 素直に謝る (apologize without excuses), 素直に喜べない (can't be simply happy about it).

Remember it 素 (plain, natural) + 直 (straight) → plain and straight, with no twist.

柔軟なじゅうなんな発想はっそうが新しいあたらしいアイデアアイデアを生むうむ。

Flexible thinking gives birth to new ideas.

Usage 柔軟 is flexible, physically or in thinking: 柔軟な対応 (flexible handling), 柔軟性 (flexibility), 柔軟体操 (stretching). Its opposite is 頑固 or 硬い.

Remember it 柔 (soft) + 軟 (pliable) → soft and pliable, it bends without breaking.

慎重なしんちょうな判断はんだんが大切たいせつな局面きょくめんだ。

This is a critical moment that calls for careful judgment.

Usage 慎重 = careful, cautious: 慎重に検討する (consider carefully). Its opposite is 軽率 (けいそつ, rash). 注意深い is similar but more everyday.

Remember it 慎 (to be careful) + 重 (heavy) → treating a matter as heavy, so you tread carefully.

積極的にせっきょくてきに意見いけんを述べるのべることが大切たいせつだ。

It's important to voice your opinions proactively.

Usage 積極的 = proactive, going for it: 積極的に参加する, 積極的な性格. Its pair is 消極的. Both are staples of JLPT reading passages.

Remember it 積 (to pile up) + 極 (extreme) + 的 → piling up toward the extreme. Pushing forward.

消極的なしょうきょくてきな態度たいどでは成長せいちょうできない。

You can't grow with a passive attitude.

Usage 消極的 = passive, holding back: 消極的な態度, 消極的な賛成 (half-hearted agreement). It means passive, not negative in mood. Pair with 積極的.

Remember it 消 (to extinguish) + 極 (extreme) + 的 → dimming down, pulling back from the edge.

率直にそっちょくに言ういうと、その計画けいかくには無理むりがある。

To be frank, that plan is unrealistic.

Usage 率直 is frank and direct: 率直に言うと (to be frank), 率直な意見 (candid opinion). It is honest without being rude, which makes it useful at work.

Remember it 率 (to lead, straight away) + 直 (straight) → straight to the point.

的確なてきかくな指示しじのおかげで作業さぎょうがスムーズスムーズに進んだすすんだ。

Thanks to the precise instructions, the work went smoothly.

Usage 的確 means exactly on target: 的確な判断, 的確な指示. 正確 (せいかく) is precise in facts or numbers; 的確 is hitting the point in judgment or advice.

Remember it 的 (target) + 確 (certain) → certain to hit the target.

鮮やかなあざやかな色いろの花はなが庭にわに咲いていたさいていた。

Vividly colored flowers were blooming in the garden.

Usage 鮮やか = vivid or brilliant: 鮮やかな色, and for skill, impressively clean: 鮮やかな手つき (deft hands), 鮮やかに勝つ (win brilliantly).

Remember it 魚 (fish) + 羊 (sheep) → fresh fish and fresh lamb. The same 鮮 as 新鮮 (fresh).

彼女かのじょの日本語にほんごは滑らかでなめらかでとてもとても流暢りゅうちょうだ。

Her Japanese is smooth and very fluent.

Usage 滑らか = smooth to touch or in motion: 滑らかな肌, 滑らかに話す (speak fluently), 滑らかな動き. The verb 滑る (すべる) means to slip or slide.

Remember it 氵 (water) + 骨 (bone) → water gliding over bone, smooth as can be.

豊かなゆたかな自然しぜんに囲まれたかこまれた生活せいかつを夢見ているゆめみている。

I dream of a life surrounded by rich nature.

Usage 豊か = rich, abundant: 豊かな自然, 豊かな国, 経験豊か (experienced), 表情豊か (expressive). It covers both material and emotional wealth.

Remember it 豊 (abundant) → a vessel 豆 piled high with offerings. Plenty.

卑劣なひれつな手段しゅだんで相手あいてを陥れるおとしいれるのは許せないゆるせない。

Using dirty tricks to trap someone is unforgivable.

Usage 卑劣 = despicable, underhanded, a strong moral judgment: 卑劣な手段 (dirty tactics), 卑劣な犯罪. It is harsher than ずるい (sly, unfair).

Remember it 卑 (low, base) + 劣 (inferior) → low and base in character.

執拗なしつような勧誘かんゆうに困ってこまっている。

I'm troubled by persistent sales pitches.

Usage 執拗 is persistent to an unpleasant degree, a written word: 執拗な勧誘, 執拗に追いかける. しつこい is the everyday equivalent.

Remember it 執 (to hold fast) + 拗 (twisted, stubborn) → holding on in a twisted, stubborn way.

場ばに相応しいふさわしい服装ふくそうを選ぶえらぶことが大切たいせつだ。

It's important to choose clothes suited to the occasion.

Usage 相応しい = suitable, befitting: 〜に相応しい (worthy of ...), 場に相応しい服装. Often written in kana ふさわしい. 適切 (てきせつ) is the more technical 'appropriate'.

Remember it 相 (mutual) + 応 (to respond) → two things that answer each other. A good fit.

大げさなおおげさな表現ひょうげんは信頼しんらいを失ううしなうもとになる。

Exaggerated expressions can cost you people's trust.

Usage 大げさ = exaggerated, over the top: 大げさに言う, 大げさな反応, 大げさだよ (you're overreacting). 誇張 (こちょう) is the formal noun for exaggeration.

Remember it Written 大袈裟: a big 袈裟 (monk's robe). Picture a monk in a robe far too large for him: over the top.

生意気ななまいきな口くちをきくな。

Don't talk back to me like that.

Usage 生意気 is cheeky or impertinent, usually said of juniors or kids who act above their station: 生意気な口をきく (talk back), 生意気な態度.

Remember it 生 (raw) + 意気 (spirit) → a raw, untempered spirit acting grown-up.

彼かれは淡泊なたんぱくな性格せいかくで、物ものに執着しゅうちゃくしない。

He has an easygoing, detached nature and doesn't cling to things.

Usage 淡泊 (also 淡白) is light: plain in taste, 淡泊な味, and detached in personality, not clingy or greedy. 恋愛に淡泊 = not very interested in romance.

Remember it 淡 (light, pale) + 泊 (plain, calm) → light and plain.