傲慢

• Reading: ごうまん
• Romaji: gouman
• Kanji breakdown: 傲 (gou) — proud, haughty; 慢 (man) — contempt, disdain
• Pronunciation: /ɡo.ɯ.ma.ɴ/

Meaning

Haughty; arrogant; insolent. Describes an overbearing attitude of superiority toward others.

A na-adjective and noun describing an attitude of looking down on others with excessive pride. Carries a strongly negative connotation. Common collocations include 傲慢な態度 (arrogant attitude), 傲慢な人 (arrogant person), and 傲慢さ (arrogance). Often appears in literature, character descriptions, and moral discussions. Distinct from 自信がある (confident), which is positive.

Examples

1. あの上司は傲慢な態度で部下に接している。 That boss treats subordinates with an arrogant attitude.
2. 成功しても傲慢にならないように気をつけている。 I'm careful not to become arrogant even when I succeed.
3. 彼の傲慢さが周囲の反感を買った。 His arrogance turned those around him against him.

Usage Guide

Context: personality, literature, social criticism, morality

Tone: critical

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 傲 (gou, proud/haughty) + 慢 (man, contempt/disdain). Both characters carry negative connotations of excessive self-regard and disrespect toward others.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal