いたずら
itazura
The English word mischief is translated into Japanese as いたずら (itazura).
いたずら refers to conduct that playfully causes petty annoyance. It can refer to a single specific prank or be used more broadly to describe a general pattern of mischievous behavior. Additionally, the phrase いたずら好き is used to describe someone who is fond of mischief or is a prankster.
Meaning: conduct that playfully causes petty annoyance (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
You can create a noun meaning a mischievous child or a prankster by adding the suffix -ko (child) to the word, resulting in いたずらっ子.
How do you pronounce it?
itazura
Did you know?
- The phrase いたずら shares a historical root with the word for 'useless' or 'futile'. In ancient Japanese, it referred to actions that had no practical purpose or result.
- The term いたずら can describe a 'mischievous' or 'playful' kiss, often translated as a 'cheeky' gesture in romantic contexts. This moves the word from the realm of childhood into adult flirting.
- While いたずら usually describes children, it is also used to describe 'playing' with a device or machine in a way that might break it. This is often used when someone tinkers with settings they shouldn't touch.
Examples in context
- またいたずらしたな！You've been up to mischief again!This sentence is useful for seeing how to express that someone has been up to mischief again using いたずら.Tatoeba #11411973 by small_snow, translation #1383618 by liaison
- あの子は本当にいたずら好きだな。That child is full of mischief.This sentence shows how to describe a child who is full of mischief using いたずら.Tatoeba #230959 by KK_kaku_, translation #68326 by CK
- ごんは、一人ぼっちの小狐で、しだの一ぱいしげった森の中に穴をほって住んでいました。そして、夜でも昼でも、あたりの村へ出て来て、いたずらばかりしました。Gon was a solitary little fox who dug and lived in a hole in a forest full of ferns. Night or day, he would come out and visit the neighboring village, where he would get up to nothing but mischief.This sentence illustrates a character who spent their time doing nothing but mischief using いたずら.Tatoeba #3714290 by tommy_san, translation #12197112 by pip
- あの生徒はいつも悪戯ばかりしています。That student always engages in mischief.
- 彼らは悪ふざけをしていたので、注意しました。They were engaged in mischief, so I warned them.
- あの子は本当にいたずら好きだから、気をつけて。That kid really loves mischief, so be careful.
- 彼はいたずらっ子で、いつも笑いを提供してくれます。He is a mischievous child who always brings joy and laughter.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui finds Hiroto playing a prank in the living room.
- 結衣 Yuiいたずらはもうやめて！Itazura wa mō yamete!Stop the mischief already!
- 大翔 Hirotoだって、おもしろいもん。Datte, omoshiroi mon.But it's funny.
- 結衣 Yuiいたずらばかりしてないで勉強して。Itazura bakari shite naide benkyō shite.Stop playing mischief and study.
- 大翔 Hirotoわかったよ、結衣。Wakatta yo, Yui.I get it, Yui.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
