愚か

• Reading: おろか
• Romaji: oroka
• Kanji breakdown: 愚 (gu/oro) — foolish, stupid
• Pronunciation: /o.ɾo.ka/

Meaning

Foolish; stupid; silly. Describes a lack of wisdom or sound judgement, often with a tone of reproach or lament.

A na-adjective (愚かな before nouns) with a stronger and more literary nuance than 馬鹿 or アホ. Frequently used in self-reproach or to describe actions deemed unwise in retrospect. Often appears in formal writing and speeches.

Examples

1. 同じ過ちを繰り返すとは、なんと愚かなことか。 How foolish it is to repeat the same mistake.
2. 自分の愚かさを認めるのは容易ではない。 It is not easy to admit one's own foolishness.
3. 愚かな判断が会社全体に損害を与えた。 A foolish decision caused damage to the entire company.

Usage Guide

Context: self-reflection, criticism, formal writing

Tone: reproachful

Origin & History

The kanji 愚 combines 心 (heart/mind) with 禺 (a foolish creature), expressing mental deficiency. A classical term with roots in Chinese philosophical writing.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical-Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal