不埒

• Reading: ふらち
• Romaji: furachi
• Kanji breakdown: 不 (fu) — negation; 埒 (rachi) — enclosure, proper limit
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯɾatɕi/

Meaning

Outrageous; lawless; scandalous; flagrantly improper or insolent.

A na-adjective used in formal or literary Japanese to condemn behaviour that blatantly violates propriety, law, or decency. It is stronger than mere rudeness and carries a moral condemnation. 不埒な輩 (outrageous ruffians) and 不埒な振る舞い (scandalous conduct) are representative collocations found in official reprimands and classical texts.

Examples

1. 不埒な振る舞いは厳しく戒められるべきだと有識者会議で指摘された。 An expert panel pointed out that outrageous behavior should be strictly disciplined.
2. 客に対して不埒な言葉を浴びせた従業員は即日解雇となった。 The employee who hurled scandalous words at a customer was fired on the spot.
3. 不埒な輩が公共の場で迷惑行為を繰り返している。 Lawless individuals have been repeatedly engaging in disruptive behavior in public spaces.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, social criticism, classical literature, journalism

Tone: condemnatory

Origin & History

Compound of 不 (not) and 埒 (fence, enclosure, limit). 埒 refers to the railing around a horse-racing track and by extension to proper limits or boundaries. 不埒 means transgressing those boundaries — acting without regard for established norms.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal