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卑怯な手を使う (ひきょうなてをつかう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

卑ひ怯きょうな手てを使つかう

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-u)

play a dirty trick; use underhanded methods; hit below the belt; play foul

Describes using unfair, cowardly, or sneaky tactics to gain an advantage, often in competition or conflict.

彼かれは卑ひ怯きょうな手てを使つかって試し合あいに勝かった。
He won the match by using underhanded methods.
そんな卑ひ怯きょうな手てを使つか

う

なんて

許ゆる

せ

ない

。

I can't forgive you for playing such a dirty trick.

Kanji

卑lowly, base, vile
怯cowardice, wince, flinch
手hand
使use, send on a mission, order

Similar words

ずるい
ずるい is an adjective meaning 'sly' or 'unfair' in a general sense, while 卑怯な手を使う specifically refers to the act of employing a dirty trick or underhanded method.
卑ひ怯きょう
卑怯 is a na-adjective meaning 'cowardly' or 'unfair'; 卑怯な手を使う is a set phrase that uses it to describe the action of using unfair means.

Etymology

A set phrase combining 卑怯 (cowardly, unfair) + な (attributive) + 手 (method, trick) + を + 使う (to use). The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a natural collocation in Japanese.