意地悪い

• Reading: いじわるい
• Romaji: ijiwarui
• Kanji breakdown: 意地 (iji) — wilful disposition; 悪 (aku/waru) — bad, evil
• Pronunciation: /i.dʑi.wa.ɾɯ.i/

Meaning

Mean; spiteful; nasty; malicious. Describes someone who deliberately causes discomfort or distress to others.

An i-adjective (also frequently used in the na-adjective form 意地悪な) emphasising the wilful, intentional nature of cruelty. Unlike 悪い (bad) alone, 意地悪い implies the person chooses to be hurtful. Used in everyday speech to describe bullies, petty coworkers, or mischievous teasing that crosses a line.

Examples

1. 意地悪い質問を繰り返して、面接官が応募者を困らせていた。 The interviewer was making the applicant uncomfortable by repeatedly asking spiteful questions.
2. あの子は昔から意地悪くて、クラスで嫌われていた。 That person has been nasty since childhood and was disliked by everyone in the class.
3. 意地悪い笑みを浮かべながら、彼は相手の弱点をつついた。 With a malicious grin, he prodded at the other person's weak points.

Usage Guide

Context: interpersonal, workplace, bullying, children

Tone: critical

Origin & History

Compound of 意地 (iji — wilful disposition, stubbornness) + 悪い (warui — bad). When a wilful disposition combines with moral badness, the result is someone deliberately unkind.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: General