How do you use "Narky" in a sentence?

Don't mind him—he's been narky all day. She gets narky when she's hungry. Sorry if I'm being narky—I didn't sleep well. The waiter was really narky with us.

Narky

Q: What does "Narky" mean?

Bad-tempered or irritable Someone narky is in a snappy, irritable mood—quick to bite your head off for minor reasons. It's not rage, just a persistent bad temper that makes someone unpleasant to be around. Very British.

Slang Term BritishAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

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Meaning: Bad-tempered or irritable

脾气不好或易怒的

Malhumorado o irritable

機嫌が悪い、イライラしている

성질이 급한, 짜증 잘 내는

Someone narky is in a snappy, irritable mood—quick to bite your head off for minor reasons. It's not rage, just a persistent bad temper that makes someone unpleasant to be around. Very British.

脾气暴躁的人心情不好，动不动就发火。不是愤怒，只是持续的坏脾气，让人不想靠近。非常英式的表达。

Alguien 'narky' está de mal humor—rápido para enfadarse por razones menores. No es rabia, solo un mal humor persistente que hace que alguien sea desagradable. Muy británico.

「Narky」な人は不機嫌で、些細なことですぐにキレそうな状態です。怒りではなく、しつこい不機嫌さで周りにいると不快になります。とてもイギリス的な表現です。

narky한 사람은 날카롭고 짜증 잘 내는 기분 상태에 있으며, 사소한 이유로 화를 내기 쉽다. 격노까지는 아니지만 지속적으로 기분이 나빠 주변 사람을 불편하게 만드는 상태이다. 매우 영국적인 표현이다.

Examples

Don't mind him—he's been narky all day.
别理他——他一整天都脾气不好。
No le hagas caso—ha estado de mal humor todo el día.
彼のこと気にしないで——一日中機嫌悪いから。
그 사람 신경 쓰지 마—하루 종일 짜증 내고 있어.
She gets narky when she's hungry.
她饿的时候就会变得暴躁。
Se pone irritable cuando tiene hambre.
お腹すくとイライラするんだ。
배고프면 짜증을 잘 내.
Sorry if I'm being narky—I didn't sleep well.
抱歉我这么暴躁——没睡好。
Perdón si estoy de mal humor—no dormí bien.
イライラしててごめん——よく眠れなかった。
짜증 부려서 미안—잠을 잘 못 잤어.
The waiter was really narky with us.
服务员对我们态度很差。
El camarero fue muy brusco con nosotros.
ウェイターがすごく不機嫌だった。
웨이터가 우리한테 정말 불친절했어.

Pronunciation

/ˈnɑːki/

Usage Guide

Context: friends, family

Tone: irritable, describing bad temper

✓ Do Say

She's a bit narky today.
她今天有点暴躁。
Está un poco irritable hoy.
今日ちょっと機嫌悪いね。
그녀 오늘 좀 짜증 내고 있어.
Don't be narky.
别那么暴躁。
No estés tan malhumorado.
そんなにイライラしないで。
짜증 부리지 마.
He's narky in the mornings.
他早上脾气不好。
Está de mal humor por las mañanas.
朝は機嫌悪いんだ。
그는 아침에 짜증이 많아.

✗ Don't Say

May not be understood outside UK/Australia
在英国/澳大利亚以外可能不被理解
Puede no ser entendido fuera del Reino Unido/Australia
イギリス/オーストラリア以外では通じないかも
영국/호주 밖에서는 이해하지 못할 수 있음
Casual term—not for formal complaints
口语——不适用于正式投诉
Término casual—no para quejas formales
カジュアル——正式な苦情には不向き
캐주얼한 표현—공식적인 불만에는 부적합

Common Mistakes

Americans likely won't know this word
It's milder than 'angry'—more like 'grumpy'

Origin & History

British slang possibly derived from 'nark' (an informer or copper's nark), as informers were viewed with irritation and contempt. Alternatively, might come from Romany 'nak' (nose), suggesting someone who sticks their nose in.

Etymology: Possibly from 'nark' (informer) or Romany 'nak' (nose)

First recorded: British slang from the early 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Early 20th century onwards

Generation: All ages in UK

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common in British soaps and dramas; Everyday British vocabulary

Regional notes: British and Australian. Americans would say 'cranky' or 'grouchy.'

Variations

A bit narkyGetting narkyBeing narky