キモい人
kimoi hito
The English phrase "creep" (referring to a person) can be translated into Japanese as キモい人 (kimoi hito).
キモい人 is used to refer specifically to a creepy person.
Meaning: to move in a stealthy or secret manner (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective キモい (gross or creepy) and the noun 人 (person), literally meaning "gross person".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
キモい人 is highly informal and uses slang. In more formal contexts, if you are referring to a suspicious person, you should use 不審者.
How do you pronounce it?
kimoi hito
Did you know?
- The word キモい is actually a contraction of the word 気持ち悪い (kimochi warui), which literally means 'feeling bad'.
- Using the phrase キモい人 in a professional setting would be considered much more socially damaging than using 'creep' in a casual English office.
- In Japanese pop culture, calling someone キモい is a common trope used in anime to instantly establish a character as an antagonist or social outcast.
Examples in context
- この男の人、キモいよね。That guy is creepy, right?
- キモい人に話しかけられたんだよ。I was approached by a creepy person.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are walking home from the station.
- 蓮 Ren後ろからキモい人がついてきてる。Ushiro kara kimoi hito ga tsuite kite ru.A creep is following us from behind.
- 結衣 Yuiえっ、本当に？怖いんだけど。Eh, hontō ni? Kowai n dakedo.What, really? That's scary.
- 蓮 Ren急いで歩こう。Isoide arukō.Let's walk faster.
- 結衣 Yuiそうだね、早く帰ろう。Sō da ne, hayaku kaerō.You're right, let's get home quickly.
