いたずらっ子
itazurakko
The Japanese word for "rascal" is いたずらっ子 (itazurakko).
いたずらっ子 designates a mischievous child or someone who frequently plays tricks or pranks on others.
Meaning: cheeky person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of itazura, meaning mischief or a prank and ko, meaning child.
Which one should you use?
While the English word "rascal" can sometimes imply a person who is dishonest or a rogue, いたずらっ子 is almost exclusively used for a child's playful mischief.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term is primarily used for children and carries a sense of harmless playfulness.
How do you pronounce it?
itazurakko
Did you know?
- The word いたずら (itazura) can be used to describe a 'prank' as well as a 'trick' played by spirits or ghosts in older Japanese folklore.
- If a pet is being a 'rascal', owners rarely use いたずらっ子 and instead use やんちゃ (yancha), which describes a more boisterous or rowdy energy.
- While 'rascal' in English can describe an adult rogue, calling an adult an いたずらっ子 in Japanese can sound patronizing or even condescending because of the 'child' suffix.
Examples in context
- 彼は本当のいたずらっ子ですね。Kare wa hontou no itazurakko desu ne.He is a real rascal, isn't he?
- そのいたずらっ子はどこへ行ったの？Sono itazurakko wa doko e itta no?Where did that little rascal go?
- 妹はいたずらっ子で困ります。Imouto wa itazurakko de komarimasu.My little sister is a cheeky person and it's a handful.
Example conversation
Yui finds Hiroto playing a prank.
- 結衣 Yuiもう、本当にいたずらっ子なんだから！Mou, hontou ni itazurakko nan dakara!Honestly, you are such a rascal!
- 大翔 Hirotoだって、おもしろいと思ったし。Datte, omoshiroi to omotta shi.But I thought it would be funny.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くん、片付けを手伝ってね。Hiroto-kun, katadzuke o tetsudatte ne.Hiroto, please help me clean up.
- 大翔 Hirotoわかったよ、結衣さん。Wakatta yo, Yui-san.I got it, Yui.
