ばかばかしい
bakabakashii
The English phrase "so silly" is translated into Japanese as ばかばかしい (bakabakashii).
You can also use the informal expression バカみたい to mean something is "like a fool."
Which one should you use?
The phrase バカみたい is used to describe something as being "like a fool."
How do you pronounce it?
bakabakashii
Did you know?
- Depending on the region, such as Kyoto, the word ばか can actually be used in a teasing or affectionate way, whereas in Tokyo it is more likely to be perceived as a direct insult.
- Japanese uses the term ばか in words like ばか盛り ('bakamori'), which describes a 'crazy' or oversized portion of food at a restaurant.
- The term ばか (baka) is often used as a prefix in various Japanese compound words to denote something that is an extreme or 'crazy' version of a concept.
Examples in context
- その意見はばかばかしいと思います。I think that opinion is so silly.
- あの人、バカみたいに振る舞っていたよ。That person was behaving so silly.
- 今日のテレビ番組はくだらなかった。Today's TV show was so silly (worthless).
- そんな話はばかばかしいです。Sonna hanashi wa bakabakashii desu.That story is so silly.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are discussing a strange idea for a prank.
- 美咲 Misakiこの計画、ちょっとばかばかしいと思わない？kono keikaku, chotto bakabakashii to omowanai?Don't you think this plan is a bit too silly?
- 蓮 Renそうだけど、面白いと思うよ。sou dakedo, omoshiroi to omou yo.It is, but I think it's funny.
- 美咲 Misaki本当にばかばかしいわ。hontou ni bakabakashii wa.It really is so silly.
- 蓮 Renたまにはそういうことも必要だよ。tamani wa sou iu koto mo hitsuyou da yo.We need things like that once in a while.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ばかばかしい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
