Meaning and Usage
"気障" (きざ) refers to an affected, pretentious, or snobbish attitude or behavior. It often describes someone who tries to appear more sophisticated or superior than they really are.
Common Contexts
This word is typically used in informal or critical contexts to point out when someone is being overly showy or insincere in their manners or speech.
Collocations and Patterns
- 気障な態度: a conceited or pretentious attitude
- 気障な言葉遣い: affected or snobbish way of speaking
- 気障に聞こえる: sounds pretentious or affected
Nuance and Register
"気障" carries a negative nuance and is often used to criticize or express annoyance. It is not a polite term and should be used carefully to avoid offending someone.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "気障" with "気さく" (きさく), which means friendly or easygoing. Remember that "気障" is negative and implies pretentiousness, while "気さく" is positive and means approachable.