Meaning and Usage
"意地悪" (いじわる) is a common Japanese adjective and noun used to describe someone who is mean, malicious, or unkind. It often refers to behavior that is intentionally hurtful or teasing in a negative way.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "意地悪" used when talking about teasing or bullying among children, but it can also apply to adults who behave unkindly or spitefully. It can describe both words and actions.
Collocations and Patterns
- 意地悪な人 (いじわるなひと): a mean person
- 意地悪をする (いじわるをする): to be mean to someone
- 意地悪な質問 (いじわるなしつもん): a spiteful or tricky question
Register and Nuance
"意地悪" is generally informal and used in everyday conversation. It can be somewhat strong, so be careful when using it to describe someone directly, as it may sound harsh.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "意地悪" with simple teasing or joking, but "意地悪" implies a deliberate intention to hurt or annoy. Use it when the behavior is clearly unkind rather than playful.