How to Say "Cocky" in Japanese

生意気な

namaikina

The Japanese word for cocky is 生意気な (namaikina).

生意気な is used to describe someone who is being disrespectful or acting more important than their status or age warrants.

Meaning: overly confident (adj)

What does it mean word for word?

The noun form 生意気 (namaiki) literally refers to impudence or cheekiness.

The form 生意気な is an adjectival noun (na-adjective) used to modify nouns directly.

namaikina

The kanji in 生意気 are the same as those used for 'raw' or 'fresh', implying that a cocky person has an unrefined spirit that has not yet matured into humility.
In romantic relationships, 生意気な can be used as a flirtatious tease, shifting the meaning from a criticism of character to a sign of affection.
The term can be used as a standalone exclamation 生意気！ to snap at someone, functioning more like the English phrase 'The nerve!' than an adjective.

生意気な小僧がよ。
You cocky little kid!
This sentence is useful for illustrating how to use 生意気な when calling someone a cocky little kid.
Tatoeba #11056532 by KK_kaku_, translation #13315336 by Ag12x
彼は傲慢な態度を取った (かれはごうまんなたいどをとった)
He adopted an arrogant attitude.
ジョンは生意気な口を利いているね (じょんはなまいきなくちをいっているね)
John is being cheeky.
彼女のお高い様子にはうんざりだ (かのじょのおたかいようすにはうんざりだ)
I'm tired of her high and mighty attitude.
彼は少し生意気な態度をとっている。
Kare wa sukoshi namaiki na taido o totte iru.
He is acting a bit cocky.
そんな生意気な口を利かないで。
Sonna namaiki na kuchi o kikanaide.
Don't talk back so cockily.

Kenta and Himari are discussing a new coworker.

健太 Kenta

新しい同僚、ちょっと生意気なところがあるね。
Atarashii dōryō, chotto namaiki na tokoro ga aru ne.
The new colleague is a bit cocky, isn't he?
陽葵 Himari

確かに、自信満々すぎて少し鼻につくわ。
Tashikani, jishin manman sugite sukoshi hana ni tsuku wa.
True, he's so overly confident it's a bit annoying.
健太 Kenta

もう少し謙虚なほうがいいのに。
Mō sukoshi kenkyo na hō ga ii noni.
He should be a bit more humble.
陽葵 Himari

そうね、健太さんの言う通りだと思う。
Sō ne, Kenta-san no iu tōri da to omou.
I agree, I think you're right, Kenta.

Sources

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