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独り天狗 (ひとりてんぐ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
self-conceited person ; ego-tripper ; swelled head
Describes someone who is overly proud or self-important, often acting as if they are the only one who matters. The term combines 独り (alone) with 天狗 (tengu, a mythical creature known for arrogance).
てん
狗ぐ
で
、
人ひと
の
意い
見けん
を
聞き
か
ない
。
That person is always an ego-tripper and never listens to others' opinions.
Written forms 独ひと り 天てん 狗ぐ
Standard kanji spelling; 独り means 'alone' or 'by oneself', fitting the self-important nuance.
一人ひとり 天てん 狗ぐ
Alternate spelling using 一人; less common but still encountered.
Kanji 独 single, alone, spontaneously Similar words 天てん 狗ぐ Refers to the mythical tengu creature or, metaphorically, a boastful person. 独り天狗 specifically emphasizes self-centered arrogance.
うぬぼれ Means 'conceit' or 'vanity'; a more general term for self-admiration, while 独り天狗 implies acting superior and dismissive of others.
Etymology Compound of 独り (hitori, 'alone') and 天狗 (tengu, a mythical long-nosed goblin associated with arrogance). The phrase likens a self-important person to a tengu who acts as if they are the only one of their kind.
