消極的

• Reading: しょうきょくてき
• Romaji: shoukyokuteki
• Kanji breakdown: 消 (shou) — extinguish, erase; 極 (kyoku) — extreme, pole; 的 (teki) — -like, -istic
• Pronunciation: /ɕoː.kjo.kɯ.te.ki/

Meaning

Passive; negative; half-hearted. Lacking initiative or enthusiasm.

A na-adjective (消極的な) that describes a withdrawn, unenthusiastic attitude. The opposite of 積極的. While not always negative, it often implies room for improvement. Used in educational and workplace feedback to suggest someone should be more engaged.

Examples

1. 彼はいつも消極的で自分から話さない。 He's always passive and never speaks up on his own.
2. 消極的な態度では成長できません。 You can't grow with a passive attitude.
3. 最近、仕事に消極的になっている気がする。 I feel like I've been half-hearted about work lately.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, school, personality description

Tone: critical

Origin & History

Compound of 消極 (shoukyoku, passive/negative) and 的 (teki, -like/-istic). 消 means to extinguish and 極 means extreme — the opposite pole from 積極, suggesting withdrawal rather than engagement.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal