ナメてる
Meaning: Looking down on someone or not taking something seriously — implies disrespectful underestimation.
Written in katakana for emphasis, ナメてる (from 舐める, to lick) means treating someone or something with contempt by not giving proper respect or effort. It is used when someone feels disrespected — a coworker who submits sloppy work, a person who shows up late without apologising, or anyone whose behaviour suggests they think you are not worth their effort. It carries real anger and indignation.
Examples
- 納期ギリギリに出してくるとか、ナメてるでしょ。 赶在截止日期最后才交,是在瞧不起人吧。¿Entregar justo en el plazo límite? Eso es falta de respeto.마감 직전에 제출하다니, 깔보는 거지?
- 客をナメてるような接客されて二度と行かない。 被那种瞧不起客人的服务态度对待,我再也不去了。Nos trataron con un desprecio tal que no vuelvo más.손님을 깔보는 듯한 접객 당해서 두 번 다시 안 가.
- 準備なしでプレゼン?完全にナメてるな。 不做准备就来做演示?完全是不把这当回事啊。¿Presentar sin preparación? Está claro que le importa un pimiento.준비 없이 프레젠테이션? 완전히 깔보고 있네.
Pronunciation
/na.me.te.ɾɯ/
Usage Guide
Context: friends, workplace gossip, internet, casual conversation
Tone: indignant, confrontational
✓ Do Say
- 仕事ナメてんじゃねーよ。 (Don't disrespect the work.)别把工作不当回事。(Don't disrespect the work.)No le faltes al respeto al trabajo. (Don't disrespect the work.)仕事ナメてんじゃねーよ。 (일 깔보지 마.)
- ナメてるとしか思えない態度だった。 (Their attitude could only be described as disrespectful.)那态度只能说是在看不起人。(Their attitude could only be described as disrespectful.)Su actitud solo podía describirse como una falta de respeto. (Their attitude could only be described as disrespectful.)ナメてるとしか思えない態度だった。 (깔보는 거라고밖에 생각할 수 없는 태도였어.)
✗ Don't Say
- 上司に「ナメてますか?」は喧嘩を売ることになる (Asking your boss 'are you looking down on me?' is picking a fight)对上司说'ナメてますか?'等于是在找茬Preguntarle a tu jefe «¿me estás menospreciando?» es buscar pelea (Asking your boss 'are you looking down on me?' is picking a fight)上司に「ナメてますか?」は喧嘩を売ることになる (상사에게 '저를 깔보시는 겁니까?'라고 하면 싸움을 거는 것이 된다)
Common Mistakes
- Confusing ナメてる with the literal meaning of 舐める (to lick) — in slang it always means 'underestimating/disrespecting'
- Using ナメてる too casually — it implies genuine anger and can escalate a situation
Origin & History
From 舐める (nameru, to lick), which evolved the figurative meaning of 'looking down on' or 'making light of.' The te-iru form ナメてる emphasises the ongoing disrespectful attitude. Written in katakana to signal the slang/emphatic usage.
Cultural Context
Era: Long-standing slang, katakana emphasis from 2000s
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal informal
Regional notes: Used nationwide. Very common in workplace complaints and online venting.
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