イキる

• Reading: イキる
• Romaji: ikiru
• Kanji breakdown: Possibly from 粋がる (ikigaru, to put on airs of sophistication). Written in katakana to distinguish from 生きる (ikiru, to live)
• Pronunciation: /i.ki.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To act tough, show off, be cocky — someone who arrogantly flexes or talks big beyond their actual status or ability.

Written in katakana to distinguish from 生きる (ikiru, to live), イキる describes someone who puts on an overly confident, aggressive, or arrogant front. Common イキり behaviour includes bragging on social media, talking down to others, flexing accomplishments, and acting like a big shot when you're not. The word is especially cutting because it implies the person's toughness is fake — if challenged, they'd back down. The noun form イキり describes the person doing it.

Examples

1. SNSでイキってる奴、リアルだと大人しいよね。 People who act tough on social media are usually quiet in real life.
2. ちょっと褒められたらすぐイキるの恥ずかしいよ。 Getting cocky the second someone compliments you is embarrassing.
3. イキった態度取ってたら、先輩にシメられた。 I was acting all tough and got put in my place by a senior.

Usage Guide

Context: internet, social media, friends

Tone: mocking, dismissive

Do Say

• イキってないで実力で見せろよ。 (Stop showing off and prove yourself with real ability.)
• あの新人、イキりすぎて嫌われてるよ。 (That new hire is acting so cocky they're getting hated.)

Don't Say

• 自信を持って発言している人に「イキるな」は萎縮させる (Telling someone who is confidently speaking up 'stop acting tough' can shut them down)

Common Mistakes

• Confusing イキる (acting tough/cocky) with 生きる (to live) — the katakana writing signals the slang meaning
• Not knowing the noun form イキり (a person who acts tough) and the adjective form イキった (acting tough)

Origin & History

Possibly from 粋がる (ikigaru, to act sophisticated/cool). Written in katakana to distinguish from 生きる (to live). Became widely used in 2010s internet culture, especially in gaming and social media.

Cultural Context

Era: 2010s internet and gaming culture

Generation: Gen Z and millennials

Social background: Universal informal

Regional notes: Used nationwide. Very common in gaming communities and social media commentary.