気取り屋
kidoriya
The English word "snob" is translated into Japanese as 気取り屋 (kidoriya).
気取り屋 is used to describe someone who behaves in a way that suggests they are more sophisticated, cultured or higher-class than they actually are.
Meaning: person who seeks to be a member of the upper classes (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
kidoriya
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the suffix 屋 (ya) in 気取り屋 (kidoriya) traditionally denotes a person's profession or a shopkeeper. Using it here transforms a behavioral trait into a label for a person's very identity.
- While 気取り屋 describes a snob, the phrase 気取らない (kidoranai) is a high compliment meaning someone is humble and down-to-earth.
- Someone who is a snob about a specific hobby, like coffee or wine, is often called a こだわり屋 (kodawariya), implying a stubborn obsession with detail.
Examples in context
- 彼女はいつも品のある洋服を着て、気取り屋のような態度をとる。She always wears stylish clothes and acts as if she were a snob.
- 高慢な人の言葉にはいつも軽蔑感を覚える。I always feel a sense of contempt whenever I hear the words of an arrogant person.
- 彼はいつもドヤ顔をしているから、スノッブな人だと思われるよ。Since he always has a smug expression, people think he is a snob.
- あの人はめちゃくちゃ横柄やで！That person is incredibly snobbish!
- 都会ではインテリな人ほど他の人を見下す傾向がある。In the city, intellectuals tend to look down on others more frequently.
- 彼は少し気取り屋ですね。Kare wa sukoshi kidoriya desu ne.He is a bit of a snob, isn't he?
- あの気取り屋の男には関わりたくない。Ano kidoriya no otoko ni wa kakawaritakunai.I don't want to get involved with that snobbish man.
- 気取り屋の態度は嫌われる。Kidoriya no taido wa kirawareru.A snobbish attitude is disliked.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are talking about a new colleague.
- 蓮 Ren新しい同僚は、かなり気取り屋だね。Atarashii dōryō wa, kanari kidoriya da ne.The new colleague is quite a snob, isn't he?
- 美咲 Misakiええ、話し方がすごく上から目線だわ。Ee, hanashikata ga sugoku ue kara mesen da wa.Yes, the way he talks is very condescending.
- 蓮 Ren高級なワインにしか興味がないらしい。Kōkyū na wain ni shika kyōmi ga nai rashii.Apparently, he's only interested in expensive wines.
- 美咲 Misaki本当に気取り屋な人なのね。Hontō ni kidoriya na hito nano ne.He really is a snob.
