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トンチキ Japanese meaning | Kotomora

トンチキ

also: とんちき

ト

ン

チ

キ

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

noun

idiot; fool; dimwit

usually written using kana alonecolloquial

Colloquial, mildly derogatory term for a stupid or foolish person. Often used in a teasing or exasperated tone.

あいつは本ほん当とうにトンチキだな。
That guy is a real idiot.
トンチキなことを言いうなよ。
Don't say stupid things.

Written forms

トンチキUsage19%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is the usual written form for this colloquial word.
とんちきUsage81%
Hiragana spelling; also common.
頓とん痴ち気き
ateji (phonetic kanji usage)rarely-used kanji form
Ateji kanji form; rarely used.

Kanji

頓suddenly, immediately, in a hurry
痴stupid, foolish
気spirit, mind, air

Similar words

バカ
バカ is a more common and versatile word for 'fool' or 'idiot', while トンチキ is more colloquial and carries a slightly old-fashioned or playful nuance.
アホ
アホ is similar in meaning but more strongly associated with the Kansai dialect; トンチキ is not region-specific.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. The kanji 頓痴気 are ateji (phonetic equivalents) and do not contribute to the meaning.