侮る

• Reading: あなどる
• Romaji: anadoru
• Kanji breakdown: 侮 (bu/anado) — despise, scorn, look down on
• Pronunciation: /a.na.do.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To disdain; to look down on; to hold in contempt. Underestimating someone or something by treating them as inferior.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb expressing contempt or underestimation. Stronger than 見下す, it carries a sense of dangerous arrogance. Often used in warnings like 侮ってはいけない or 侮るな, cautioning against the consequences of underestimating threats.

Examples

1. 相手の実力を侮ってはいけない。 You shouldn't underestimate your opponent's ability.
2. 自然の力を侮ると大変なことになる。 If you underestimate the power of nature, things can get very serious.
3. 侮られたことが悔しくて練習に励んだ。 Stung by being looked down on, I threw myself into practice.

Usage Guide

Context: warnings, sports, competition

Tone: cautionary

Origin & History

The kanji 侮 combines 亻 (person) and 每 (every, each), suggesting someone who treats every person dismissively. Used in Classical Chinese texts about rulers who underestimated their enemies.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal