おのれ
onore
In Japanese, the phrase "why you" can be expressed as おのれ (onore).
The term おのれ is used as a standalone exclamation to express anger or hatred toward a person. It is used as a standalone exclamation to signal that the speaker is addressing an enemy or someone they loathe.
Which one should you use?
While おのれ is a dramatic exclamation of hatred, other ways to express the concept of "why you" (in the sense of asking why someone is doing something) include the formal なぜそうなさるのですか or the colloquial なんでそんなことするの？
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
おのれ is archaic and dramatic. It is rarely used in modern daily conversation, appearing instead in period dramas, anime or literature to express intense contempt. For polite situations, use the formal なぜそうなさるのですか and for casual situations, use the colloquial なんでそんなことするの？
How do you pronounce it?
onore
When do people say it?
おのれ is an extremely dramatic expression of contempt.
Did you know?
- The word おのれ originally meant 'myself' or 'oneself' in ancient Japanese. Over time, using this reflexive term to address an enemy became a way of dehumanizing them.
- Historically, using おのれ to address another person was a method of stripping them of their social standing and dignity.
- In Japanese media, おのれ is often delivered with a specific 'clenched-teeth' pronunciation to show the speaker is barely containing their rage.
Examples in context
- なんでそんなことするの？Why are you doing that?
- おのれ、許さんぞ！Onore, yurusan zo!Why you, I won't forgive you!
- おのれ、よくもそんなことを。Onore, yokumo sonna koto o.Why you, how dare you do such a thing.
- おのれ、卑劣な奴め。Onore, hiretsu na yatsu me.Why you, you despicable man.
Example conversation
A heated argument in a dramatic reenactment of a historical play.
- 蓮 Renおのれ、我が家を壊したな！Onore, waga ie o kowashita na!Why you, you destroyed my house!
- 美咲 Misakiそんなに怒らなくてもいいではありませんか。Sonna ni okoranakute mo ii de wa arimasen ka.There is no need to get so angry.
- 蓮 Ren黙れ、おのれ！Damare, onore!Shut up, why you!
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さんは、本当に演技が上手ですね。Ren-san wa, hontou ni engi ga jouzu desu ne.Ren, you are truly a good actor.
