Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 失礼 | shitsurei | [ɕi̥t͡sɨɾe̞ː] (narrow) |
| 無礼な | burei na |
The term is used to describe bad-mannered behavior or a lack of etiquette. While both common forms describe rudeness, they differ in their specific nuance regarding the severity and nature of the disrespect.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 失礼 literally means a loss or lack of etiquette or courtesy.
Which one should you use?
The form 失礼 is often used to describe a specific breach of manners or a social slip-up. In contrast, 無礼な carries a stronger nuance of being insolent or disrespectful to one's status.
How does it change in a sentence?
無礼な is a na-adjective used to describe a person's character or a specific action as being rude or insolent. There is also the form 失礼な, which is the adjectival form used to modify a noun, such as a rude attitude.
How do you pronounce it?
shitsurei
When do people say it?
In Japanese social etiquette, 失礼 is used in several set phrases. You can say 失礼します as a polite way to say "Excuse me" or to signal that you are being rude by interrupting, such as when entering a room, hanging up a phone or leaving a conversation. If you have made a mistake or committed a breach of etiquette, the formal apology is 失礼いたしました, meaning "I was rude" or "I apologize for my rudeness."
Did you know?
- A person can describe their own behavior as 失礼 to intentionally lower their own status, which paradoxically makes them appear more polite to others.
- The Chinese roots of 失礼 suggest that 'propriety' is something that can be lost or misplaced, a concept preserved in the Japanese usage.
- In Japanese business culture, saying 失礼します when hanging up the phone is a requirement, even if no actual rudeness has occurred during the call.
Examples in context
- 失礼な人ね。You are rude.This example illustrates how to describe a person as being rude using 失礼.Tatoeba #13203668 by small_snow, translation #70481 by U2FS
- 随分失礼だな。You're very rude.This example shows how to say someone is very rude using 失礼.Tatoeba #10692126 by bunbuku, translation #2218497 by CK
- 彼は無礼な人だ。He is a rude person.This example uses the form 無礼な to describe a person as being a rude person.Tatoeba #2230571 by bunbuku, translation #303973 by CK
- 彼女の傲慢な態度には我慢ができない。I can't tolerate her arrogant attitude.
- その発言は無礼ですよ。That statement is impolite.
- あなたの行動は失礼でした。Your behavior was rude.
- 彼の行動、失礼なんだよね。His behavior is so rude, you know.
- あの人、まじで無礼。That person is seriously rude.
- 彼の態度、けしからんよ。His attitude is outrageous!
- ふざけんな！Don't mess around!
- 48 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A girl scolds a boy for his behavior during a meeting.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔君、そんな態度は失礼だよ。Hiroto-kun, sonna taido wa shitsurei da yo.Hiroto, that attitude is rude.
- 大翔 Hirotoごめん、悪気はなかったんだ。Gomen, warugi wa nakattan da.Sorry, I didn't mean any harm.
- 陽葵 Himariでも、相手に対して失礼すぎるよ。Demo, aite ni taishite shitsurei sugiru yo.But it is too rude to the other person.
- 大翔 Hirotoわかった、次は気をつけるよ。Wakatta, tsugi wa ki o tsukeru yo.I understand, I'll be careful next time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rude” translations and entries 失礼, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 失礼, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
