意地悪

• Reading: いじわる
• Romaji: ijiwaru
• Kanji breakdown: 意 (i) — will, intention; 地 (ji) — ground, disposition; 悪 (aku/waru) — bad, evil
• Pronunciation: /i.dʑi.wa.ɾɯ/

Meaning

Mean; spiteful; unkind. Describes a person or behaviour that is deliberately nasty.

Functions as both a na-adjective and noun. As a noun, refers to a mean person or the act of being mean (意地悪をする, to be mean to someone). Common in everyday conversation, especially among children and in descriptions of personality. Lighter than 残酷 (cruel).

Examples

1. あの子はクラスで意地悪なことばかり言う。 That kid is always saying mean things in class.
2. 弟に意地悪をしてはいけません。 You must not be mean to your little brother.
3. 意地悪な質問をされて困った。 I was stumped by a mean-spirited question.

Usage Guide

Context: school, personality descriptions, complaints

Tone: disapproving

Origin & History

Compound of 意地 (iji, disposition/stubbornness) and 悪 (waru, bad). The word literally means 'bad disposition,' describing someone whose temperament inclines toward unkindness.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal