生意気
namaiki[na̠ma̠ikʲi]
The English word "cheeky" can be translated into Japanese as 生意気 (namaiki).
生意気 is used to describe someone who is being impudent or impertinent. You can also use the idiomatic phrase 生意気を言う (namaiki o iu) to specifically mean that someone is "saying cheeky things" or being impudent in their speech.
Meaning: impudent, impertinent (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
In Japanese, 生意気 functions as a na-adjective. When you want to use it to modify a noun directly, you must add the particle な, resulting in 生意気な (namaiki na). To say that someone "is" cheeky in its dictionary form, you use 生意気だ (namaiki da).
How do you pronounce it?
namaiki
Did you know?
- The word 生意気 literally translates to 'raw spirit'.
- Using 生意気 toward a superior in a workplace can be seen as a serious breach of social harmony, far more severe than the lighthearted connotation of 'cheeky' in British English.
- Japanese has a separate word, 厚かましい (atsukamashii), for being 'cheeky' in the sense of being pushy or having too much nerve, whereas 生意気 is specifically about acting above one's station.
Examples in context
- 生意気な小僧がよ。Cheeky little boy!This sentence is useful for demonstrating how to use 生意気 to describe a person.Tatoeba #11056532 by KK_kaku_, translation #13315335 by Ag12x
- 生意気を言うんじゃない。Don't be so cheeky.This sentence is useful for demonstrating the phrase 生意気を言う.Tatoeba #2125068 by bunbuku, translation #12755673 by CK
- 子供がおしゃまに振る舞った。The child behaved cheekily.
- 彼女は生意気にも先生に反抗した。She cheekily rebelled against the teacher.
- 弟はいたずらっ子で、よく冗談を言うんだ。My younger brother is cheeky and often tells jokes.
- 彼は生意気な態度をとる。Kare wa namaiki na taido o toru.He has an impudent attitude.
Example conversation
Kenta is teasing Yui about her new skills.
- 健太 Kentaもうプロみたいに上手だね。Mou puro mitai ni jouzu da ne.You're already as good as a professional.
- 結衣 Yui当然だよ。私は天才だからね。Touzen dayo. Watashi wa tensai dakara ne.Of course. Because I'm a genius.
- 健太 Kenta相変わらず生意気だなぁ。Aikawarazu namaiki da naa.You're as cheeky as ever.
- 結衣 Yuiふふん、本当のことだよ。Fufun, hontou no koto dayo.Hehe, it's the truth.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheeky” translations and entries 生意気, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 生意気, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
