えげつない

• Reading: えげつない
• Romaji: egetsunai
• Pronunciation: /e.ɡe.tsɯ.na.i/

Meaning

Dirty; unfair; ruthless; vulgar. Describes behaviour, language, or tactics that are shockingly unscrupulous or crude.

An i-adjective originating in Kansai dialect that has spread into standard colloquial Japanese. It covers two related senses: (1) morally reprehensible or underhanded — particularly of tactics or treatment; (2) vulgar or crude in language or expression. In casual Kansai speech it can also be used hyperbolically to mean 'extreme' or 'outrageous' (えげつない値段 — an outrageous price). Inappropriate in formal contexts.

Examples

1. そんなえげつないやり方で相手を追い詰めるなんて、常識を疑う。 Using such underhanded tactics to corner your opponent makes me question your basic decency.
2. 競合他社のえげつない価格戦略に、中小企業はまったく太刀打ちできなかった。 Small and medium-sized businesses were completely unable to compete with the rival company's ruthless pricing strategy.
3. 彼の冗談はえげつなくて、場の空気を一瞬で凍りつかせた。 His joke was so crude that it instantly froze the atmosphere in the room.

Usage Guide

Context: criticism, Kansai dialect, business tactics, colloquial speech

Tone: blunt

Origin & History

Originally Kansai (Osaka) dialect. Etymological origins are debated; one theory links it to えぐい (harsh, crude) combined with regional phonological shifts. Entered mainstream Japanese through media and entertainment.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Young to middle-aged adults

Social background: Universal