洟垂はなたれ小僧こぞう

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Meanings

1

noun

snot-nosed kid; brat

Derogatory term for a young, inexperienced, or immature child, often implying they are still dripping with snot. Used as an insult or in a belittling manner.

あの洟垂はなたれ小こ僧ぞうがまたいたずらをした。
That snot-nosed brat pulled another prank.
洟垂はなたれ小こ僧ぞうのくせに生なま意い気きだ。
You're just a snot-nosed kid, but you're so cheeky.

Written forms

洟垂はなたれ小僧こぞう
Standard kanji spelling; 洟 is a less common kanji for 'nasal mucus'.
はな垂たれ小こ僧ぞう
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; はな is written in kana, making it easier to read.
はなたれ小こ僧ぞう
Common kana-heavy spelling; はなたれ is written in kana.

Kanji

洟tear, nasal discharge
垂droop, suspend, hang
小little, small
僧Buddhist priest, monk

Similar words

小こ僧ぞう
小僧 alone means 'youngster' or 'apprentice' and can be derogatory, but 洟垂れ小僧 specifically emphasizes immaturity and childishness with the 'snot-nosed' imagery.
ガキ
ガキ is a more common and versatile derogatory term for 'brat' or 'kid', while 洟垂れ小僧 is more colorful and less frequently used.

Etymology

Compound of 洟垂れ (hanatare, 'snot-dripping') + 小僧 (kozō, 'youngster, kid'). The term literally describes a child with a runny nose, used figuratively as an insult for an immature person.