Translation guide
Expresses extreme rudeness, disrespect, or arrogance in Japanese. The best choice depends on the nuance: shameless boldness, contemptuous attitude, or outright verbal abuse.
Describes someone acting with brazen disrespect, often ignoring social norms or authority.
The most common word for shameless, impudent behavior. Implies a lack of shame or consideration for others.
彼の図々しい態度には呆れた。
I was appalled by his insolent attitude.
そんな図々しいお願いは聞けません。
I can't grant such an insolent request.
Very similar to 図々しい, emphasizing brazenness and lack of modesty. Often interchangeable.
厚かましいお願いですが、もう一度チャンスをください。
It's an insolent request, but please give me another chance.
Often used for younger people or subordinates acting cheeky, impertinent, or full of themselves. Can be a な-adjective.
生意気な口をきくな。
Don't talk so insolently.
あの新人は生意気だ。
That new guy is very insolent.
Expresses looking down on someone with open disrespect, often through words or facial expressions.
Directly means 'rude' or 'impolite', but can be intensified with adverbs to mean 'very insolent'. Often used in formal contexts.
彼の無礼な振る舞いは許せない。
I can't forgive his insolent behavior.
その発言は極めて無礼だ。
That remark is extremely insolent.
A stronger, more literary term for arrogance and insolence, often toward authority or superiors.
Means 'arrogant' or 'haughty', often overlapping with insolence when someone acts superior and dismissive.
Describes speech that is extremely disrespectful, often using harsh or vulgar language.
Refers to abusive language, insults, or verbal outrage. Often used in the phrase 暴言を吐く (to make insolent remarks).
彼は会議で暴言を吐いた。
He made insolent remarks at the meeting.
Means verbal abuse or denunciation; implies a tirade of insulting language.
図々しい and 厚かましい are nearly synonymous and describe shameless, pushy behavior. 生意気 is more about cheekiness from someone who should know their place, often used for children or juniors.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'very insolent' in all contexts. Choose the word based on the specific nuance: shamelessness (図々しい), contempt (無礼), or verbal abuse (暴言).
He defied his boss with an insolent attitude.
傲慢な物言いが癇に障る。
His insolent way of speaking gets on my nerves.
I can't calm down after being so insolently insulted.