Meaning and Nuance
The adjective いやらしい is used to describe something unpleasant, disgusting, or indecent. It often carries a negative emotional tone and can refer to physical sensations (like smells), behavior, or attitudes that are morally or socially inappropriate.
Usage in Conversation
When used to describe jokes, looks, or behavior, いやらしい implies a sense of discomfort or offense, often related to sexual indecency or creepiness. For example, a "いやらしい視線" (lewd gaze) suggests an uncomfortable or inappropriate stare.
Common Collocations
- いやらしい冗談: indecent or offensive joke
- いやらしい視線: lewd or unpleasant gaze
- いやらしい匂い: unpleasant or disgusting smell
These collocations are frequently used in everyday conversation or media to express discomfort or disapproval.
Register and Politeness
いやらしい is generally informal and can be considered rude or harsh depending on context. It is often used in casual speech or when expressing strong negative feelings.
Learner Tips
A common mistake is to confuse いやらしい with words that mean simply "unpleasant" or "disagreeable" without the indecent or morally negative nuance. Remember that いやらしい often implies something more than just unpleasant—it usually has a sexual or morally inappropriate connotation.