甚だしい

• Reading: はなはだしい
• Romaji: hanahadashii
• Kanji breakdown: 甚 (jin/hanaha) — extreme, intense, very
• Pronunciation: /ha.na.ha.da.ɕi.i/

Meaning

Extreme; excessive; outrageous; tremendous. Describes something that has gone far beyond a normal or acceptable degree.

An i-adjective indicating that something has reached an extreme or unreasonable degree, almost always with negative connotations: 甚だしい誤解 (a gross misunderstanding), 被害が甚だしい (the damage is severe). The adverb form 甚だ (hanahada, exceedingly) is also common in formal writing. A literary and somewhat stiff word, more frequent in written Japanese, news, and formal speech than casual conversation.

Examples

1. これは甚だしい誤解だと言わざるを得ない。 I have to say this is a gross misunderstanding.
2. 被害は甚だしく、復旧には時間がかかる。 The damage is severe, and recovery will take time.
3. 事実と甚だしくかけ離れた報道だった。 The reporting was wildly at odds with the facts.

Usage Guide

Context: news, formal writing, criticism

Tone: critical

Origin & History

From the classical adverb 甚だ (hanahada, very/exceedingly). The kanji 甚 depicts an intensifying concept. The adjective form 甚だしい has been used since classical Japanese to express extreme degree, particularly of negative situations.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated