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他人行儀 (たにんぎょうぎ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Meanings 1
na-adjective, noun
standing on ceremony ; overly formal ; distant
yojijukugo (four-character idiom)
Describes behavior that is excessively polite or reserved, as if treating a close friend or family member like a stranger. Often used in negative contexts to criticize unnecessary formality.
He's always so formal and distant; he rarely opens up.
Kanji 他 other, another, the others 行 going, journey, carry out Similar words よそよそしい よそよそしい describes a cold, standoffish attitude, while 他人行儀 emphasizes excessive politeness or formality that creates distance, often between people who should be close.
堅かた 苦くる しい 堅苦しい means stiff, formal, or overly serious in a general sense, whereas 他人行儀 specifically implies treating someone like an outsider through reserved, polite behavior.
Etymology A yojijukugo composed of 他人 (stranger, another person) and 行儀 (manners, etiquette). The literal meaning is 'stranger's manners,' referring to behavior that is as formal and distant as one would show to a stranger.
