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腕白坊主 (わんぱくぼうず) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

腕わん白ぱく坊ぼう主ず

わ

ん

ぱ

く

ぼ

う

ず

Meanings

1

noun

naughty boy; mischievous boy; little rascal; brat

Affectionate or mildly scolding term for a boy who is full of energy and mischief. Often used by parents or adults.

うちの腕わん白ぱく坊ぼう主ずは今日きょうも泥どろだらけで帰かえってきた。
Our little rascal came home covered in mud again today.

近きん所じょのわんぱく坊ぼう主ずたちが公こう園えんで走はしり回まわっている。

The neighborhood's mischievous boys are running around in the park.

Written forms

腕わん白ぱく坊ぼう主ず
Standard kanji spelling for 'naughty boy'.
わんぱく坊ぼう主ず
Common mixed kana-kanji spelling.

Kanji

腕arm, ability, talent
白white
坊boy, priest's residence, priest
主lord, chief, master

Similar words

腕わん白ぱく
腕白 is an adjective meaning 'naughty' or 'mischievous', while 腕白坊主 specifically refers to a naughty boy.
坊ぼう主ず
坊主 means 'boy' or 'kid' (also 'monk'), but 腕白坊主 adds the nuance of mischievousness.

Etymology

Compound of 腕白 (わんぱく, 'naughty, mischievous') and 坊主 (ぼうず, 'boy, kid'). The origin of 腕白 is uncertain, but it may be related to the idea of 'white arms' from rough play.