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粋がる (いきがる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
act pretentious ; put on airs ; try to look cool
Describes someone trying to appear stylish, sophisticated, or brave, often with a nuance of overdoing it or being affected. Can be used critically or teasingly.
いき
がら
なく
て
も
、
ありのまま
で
十じゅう
分ぶん
かっこいい
よ
。
You don't have to try so hard to look cool; you're fine just as you are.
Written forms 粋いき がる
Standard kanji spelling using 粋 (stylish, chic).
意い 気き がる
Alternate spelling using 意気 (spirit, vigor); less common.
Similar words 気き 取ど る 気取る also means to put on airs or act affected, but focuses more on putting on a refined or elegant front, while 粋がる emphasizes trying to be stylish or cool, sometimes with a hint of bravado.
見み 栄え を 張は る 見栄を張る means to show off or be vain about appearances, often involving material display. 粋がる is more about attitude and trying to seem sophisticated or brave.
Etymology Derived from 粋 (いき, stylish, chic) + がる (suffix meaning 'to act like' or 'to show signs of'). The kanji 意気 (spirit, vigor) is sometimes used, reflecting a nuance of spiritedness.