Meaning and Usage
"図々しい" describes someone who is impudent or shameless, often acting without regard for others' feelings or social norms. It is a negative adjective used to criticize behavior that is boldly disrespectful or overly forward.
Common Contexts
This word is frequently used in everyday conversation to describe people who ask for favors without hesitation, ignore social boundaries, or behave rudely without embarrassment.
Collocations and Patterns
- 図々しい態度 (shameless attitude): describes someone's manner or behavior.
- 図々しくも + verb (impudently + verb): emphasizes the boldness of an action, often negative.
- 図々しいお願い (shameless request): a request that is considered too bold or inappropriate.
Register and Nuance
"図々しい" is informal to semi-formal and often used in spoken Japanese. It carries a strong negative nuance, so use it carefully to avoid offending someone unless you intend to criticize.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "図々しい" with words meaning "bold" or "confident" in a positive sense. Remember, "図々しい" always implies a lack of shame or consideration, so it is not a compliment.