乱暴

らんぼう

rude, violent, rough

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The word 乱暴 (らんぼう) describes behavior or actions that are rough, violent, or rude. It can refer to physical violence, rough handling of objects, or impolite speech. It often carries a negative connotation and is used to criticize someone's manners or behavior.

Common Contexts

  • Describing someone's aggressive or violent behavior.
  • Talking about rough or careless handling of things.
  • Referring to rude or harsh language.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 乱暴な言葉 (らんぼうなことば): rude or harsh words.
  • 乱暴に扱う (らんぼうにあつかう): to handle roughly.
  • 乱暴な運転 (らんぼうなうんてん): reckless or aggressive driving.

Register and Politeness

This word is neutral but generally used in negative contexts. It is common in both spoken and written Japanese. When describing someone's behavior, it can sound quite direct or critical.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 乱暴 with simply "rough" in a neutral sense, but 乱暴 usually implies a negative judgment about the behavior's appropriateness or safety. Avoid using it to describe neutral roughness without negative intent.

Example Sentences

かれはらんぼうなことばをつかってひとをきずつけた。

He hurt people by using rude language.

らんぼうにものをあつかうとこわれてしまうよ。

If you handle things roughly, they will break.

かれのらんぼうなうんてんにみんながこわがった。

Everyone was scared of his reckless driving.