ガキ
gaki
The Japanese word for brat is ガキ (gaki).
ガキ is an informal way to refer to a brat, implying immaturity or childish behavior. If you wish to describe someone as being spoiled or behaving in an overly dependent, child-like manner, you might use 甘えん坊. To describe someone who is being cheeky, sassy or impudent, the term 生意気 is used.
Meaning: a selfish, spoiled, or unruly child (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ガキ specifically implies a spoiled or unruly child, the word 子供 is the neutral, standard term for a child.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ガキ is an informal and often derogatory way to refer to a child. For a neutral way to say child, use 子供.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can create an adjective meaning 'childish' or 'bratty' by adding the suffix っぽい to the noun, resulting in ガキっぽい. To refer to a group of brats in a plural sense, you can add the suffix ども to the noun to create ガキども, which makes the term even more dismissive or contemptuous.
How do you pronounce it?
gaki
Did you know?
- The word ガキ is sometimes written with the kanji 餓鬼, which originally refers to 'hungry ghosts' from Buddhist folklore. These are spirits destined to suffer eternal hunger and thirst due to their past selfishness.
- While ガキ is derogatory when used toward others, some parents use it as a term of endearment when talking to their own children in a playful, teasing way.
- The word ガキ can also be used in the phrase ガキの使い, which literally means 'a brat's errand'. It describes a task that is too trivial or unimportant for a grown person to perform.
Examples in context
- トムはガキよ。Tom is a brat.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as a brat using ガキ.Tatoeba #11101242 by small_snow, translation #10465522 by CK
- あんた本当に甘えん坊だね！You're such a spoiled brat!
- あいつは本当になかなか言うことを聞かないガキだ。Aitsu wa hontou ni nakanaka iu koto o kikanai gaki da.He is a real brat who never listens.
- あんなガキ、放っておけばいいよ。Anna gaki, hootte okeba ii yo.Just leave that brat alone.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are watching a child throw a tantrum in a store.
- 陽葵 Himari見て、あの子すごい泣いてるよ。Mite, ano ko sugoi naite iru yo.Look, that child is crying so much.
- 健太 Kenta本当にわがままなガキだな。Hontō ni wagamama na gaki da na.He's such a spoiled brat.
- 陽葵 Himari親が甘やかしすぎだと思う。Oya ga amayakashisugi da to omou.I think the parents spoil him too much.
- 健太 Kenta全くだよ。疲れるな。Mattaku da yo. Tsukareru na.Exactly. It's exhausting.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
