敵意

• Reading: てきい
• Romaji: tekii
• Kanji breakdown: 敵 (teki/kataki) — enemy, opponent; 意 (i) — intent, feeling, will
• Pronunciation: /te̞kii/

Meaning

Hostility; animosity; enmity; antagonism. A feeling of active aggression or ill-will directed toward another person or group.

A formal noun. Describes an active, directed feeling of hostility — stronger than 不満 (fuman — dissatisfaction) or 反感 (hankan — antipathy). Common collocations include 敵意を抱く (to harbour hostility) and 敵意をむき出しにする (to bare one's hostility openly). Used in interpersonal, political, and international contexts. Unlike mere dislike, 敵意 implies the potential for confrontation or conflict.

Examples

1. 彼の言葉には明らかに敵意が込められていた。 His words were clearly filled with hostility.
2. 両国間の敵意は、長年の領土紛争に端を発している。 The hostility between the two countries stems from a longstanding territorial dispute.
3. 初対面の彼女は、なぜか私に対して敵意をむき出しにしていた。 For some reason, the woman I had just met was openly hostile toward me.

Usage Guide

Context: interpersonal conflict, politics, international relations, psychology

Tone: negative

Origin & History

Compound of 敵 (teki/kataki — enemy, opponent) and 意 (i — intent, feeling, will). The combination precisely captures the emotional stance of treating another as an enemy.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal