嫌な奴
iyana yatsu
The Japanese phrase for jerk is 嫌な奴 (iyana yatsu).
The term is used to describe an unlikable person or a jerk. Other related ways to express similar sentiments include 馬鹿, which primarily means fool or idiot but can be used to call someone a jerk and the much harsher クソ野郎, which translates to damn bastard or damn jerk.
Meaning: unlikable person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective 嫌な (iyana), meaning disagreeable or unpleasant and the noun 奴 (yatsu), meaning guy or fellow.
Which one should you use?
While 嫌な奴 is used for a 'jerk', the form 嫌な人 is a more polite way to describe someone who is an unpleasant person.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
嫌な奴 is an informal term that can sound quite blunt or rude depending on the context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 奴 (yatsu) is a noun used to refer to people, but it is inherently informal and often carries a derogatory or dismissive tone.
How do you pronounce it?
iyana yatsu
Did you know?
- The noun 奴 (yatsu) originally referred to a 'slave' or 'servant' in ancient Japanese. Over centuries, it shifted from a description of social rank to a casual and often derogatory way to say 'guy' or 'fellow'.
- In formal Japanese, to avoid calling someone a 'jerk', speakers often use 'euphemisms' like 個性的 (koseiteki), which literally means 'unique' or 'individualistic'.
- While 嫌な (iyana) describes the person, it can also be used to describe an unpleasant smell or a bad feeling, effectively meaning the person is 'disagreeable' to one's very senses.
Examples in context
- あの人、ほんとうにクソ野郎だよ。That person is a real jerk.
- 彼、本当に馬鹿だよ。He's such a jerk.
- まあ、確かに迷惑な人だと思うけど、頑張ってる部分もあるんだろうな。Well, I do think he's a bit of a jerk, but he must be trying his best in some aspects.
- 彼は本当に嫌な奴だ。Kare wa hontou ni iyana yatsu da.He is a real jerk.
- 新しい上司は嫌な奴かもしれない。Atarashii joushi wa iyana yatsu kamo shirenai.The new boss might be a jerk.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are talking about a rude coworker.
- 美咲 Misakiあの人の態度は本当に失礼だよね。Ano hito no taido wa hontou ni shitsurei da yo ne.That person's attitude is really rude, isn't it?
- 陽太 Yotaああ、彼は典型的な嫌な奴だよ。Aa, kare wa tenkeiteki na iyana yatsu da yo.Yeah, he's a typical jerk.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太君はどう思う？Youta-kun wa dou omou?What do you think, Yota?
- 陽太 Yota関わらないほうがいいと思うよ。Kakawaranai hou ga ii to omou yo.I think it's better not to get involved.
