独ひとり天てん狗ぐ

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Meanings

1

noun

self-conceited person; ego-tripper; swelled head

Describes someone who is overly proud or self-important, often acting as if they are the only one who matters. The term combines 独り (alone) with 天狗 (tengu, a mythical creature known for arrogance).

彼かれは成せい功こうしてからすっかり一人ひとり天てん狗ぐになってしまった。

After his success, he became completely self-conceited.

あの人ひとはいつも独ひとり天てん狗ぐで、人ひとの意い見けんを聞きかない。

That person is always an ego-tripper and never listens to others' opinions.

Kanji

一one, one radical (no.1)
人person
天heavens, sky, imperial
狗puppy, dog
独single, alone, spontaneously

Related words

天てん狗ぐ
Refers to the mythical tengu creature or, metaphorically, a boastful person. 独り天狗 specifically emphasizes self-centered arrogance.
うぬぼれ
Means 'conceit' or 'vanity'; a more general term for self-admiration, while 独り天狗 implies acting superior and dismissive of others.

Built from

一人ひとり+天てん狗ぐ

Written forms

独ひとり天てん狗ぐ
Standard kanji spelling; 独り means 'alone' or 'by oneself', fitting the self-important nuance.
一人ひとり天てん狗ぐ
Alternate spelling using 一人; less common but still encountered.

Etymology

Compound of 独り (hitori, 'alone') and 天狗 (tengu, a mythical long-nosed goblin associated with arrogance). The phrase likens a self-important person to a tengu who acts as if they are the only one of their kind.