わがままな子
wagamama na ko
The English phrase "spoiled brat" is translated into Japanese as わがままな子 (wagamama na ko).
This phrase is used to describe a child who behaves badly because they are given everything they want.
Which one should you use?
While わがままな子 refers to the person (the spoiled brat), the single word わがまま refers to the trait of selfishness or being self-centered.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the na-adjective わがままな to modify the noun 子, which means child.
How do you pronounce it?
wagamama na ko
Did you know?
- While a spoiled brat is a person, you can describe an object or a situation as わがまま if it is behaving unpredictably or erratically.
- In Japanese culture, the concept of わがまま is often contrasted with amae, a psychological desire to be pampered and loved by an authority figure.
- The word わがまま can be broken down into 我が (my/mine) and まま (state/condition). It literally translates to 'in a state of being my own way'.
Examples in context
- 彼女はなかなかわがままな人として知られている。She is known to be quite the spoiled brat.
- 彼は両親に甘やかされちゃった子だから、そんなにわがままなのかもしれないよ。Since he was excessively spoiled by his parents, maybe that's why he's so bratty.
- 彼はわがままな子だ。Kare wa wagamama na ko da.He is a spoiled brat.
- わがままな子は育てにくい。Wagamama na ko wa sodotekui.Spoiled brats are hard to raise.
- わがままな子にしないでください。Wagamama na ko ni shinaide kudasai.Please do not make them a spoiled brat.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are watching children at a park.
- 結衣 Yuiあの子、泣き止まないね。Ano ko, nakiyamanaide ne.That child won't stop crying.
- 陽太 Yotaわがままな子なんだよ。Wagamama na ko nan da yo.He's a spoiled brat.
- 結衣 Yui親が甘やかしすぎているのかな。Oya ga amayakashisugite iru no kana.I wonder if the parents spoil him too much.
- 陽太 Yotaきっとそうだと思うよ。Kitto sou da to omou yo.I'm sure that's it.
