怪しい
ayashii[a̠ja̠ɕiː]
The Japanese word for sussy is 怪しい (ayashii).
怪しい is used to describe something as suspicious, fishy or sketchy.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is [ayashii].
Did you know?
- The adjective 怪しい shares a kanji character with 怪獣, meaning 'kaiju' or 'strange beast', such as Godzilla.
- The etymology of 怪しい is thought to stem from the interjection あや, which expresses a sense of surprise or wonder. This links the feeling of 'suspicion' to a sudden realization of something strange.
- While 怪しい means 'suspicious' in a modern sense, it can also be used to describe something mysteriously beautiful or supernatural, such as a ghostly light.
Examples in context
- あの店員さん、なんか怪しいよね。That shop assistant seems kind of sketchy, don't you think?
- 最近、このアプリがあやしいんだよね。Lately, this app feels suspicious, you know?
- あの人の行動は少し怪しい。Ano hito no kōdō wa sukoshi ayashii.That person's behavior is a bit sussy.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are playing a social deduction game together.
- 結衣 Yui健太くん、動きが怪しいよ。Kenta-kun, ugoki ga ayashii yo.Kenta, your movements are sussy.
- 健太 Kentaえっ、僕は何もしてないよ！E, boku wa nani mo shite nai yo!What, I didn't do anything!
- 結衣 Yui絶対怪しい。犯人は健太くんでしょ。Zettai ayashii. Hannin wa Kenta-kun desho.Totally sussy. You're the culprit, right Kenta?
- 健太 Kenta違うよ、結衣こそ怪しいよ！Chigau yo, Yui koso ayashii yo!No way, Yui, you're the sussy one!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 怪しい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 怪しい, CC BY-SA 4.0.
