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取って付けたよう (とってつけたよう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

取とって付つけたよう

Meanings

1

expression, na-adjective

unnatural; forced; contrived

Describes something that feels tacked on, insincere, or not genuine, like a forced smile or an empty compliment. Often used with 笑顔, お世辞, 言い訳, etc.

彼かれの取とって付つけたような笑え顔がおが気きになった。
His forced smile bothered me.
そのお世せ辞じは取とって付つけたようで、全ぜん然ぜん嬉うれしくなかった。
That compliment sounded so contrived that I wasn't happy at all.

Written forms

取とって付つけたよう
Standard kanji spelling; the phrase is often written with this kanji-kana mix.
取とってつけたよう
Variant with つけた in kana; equally natural and common.
取とって付つけた様よう
Uses 様 for よう; less common and slightly more formal or literary.

Kanji

取take, fetch, take up
付adhere, attach, refer to

様Esq., way, manner

Similar words

わざとらしい
わざとらしい emphasizes that something is obviously intentional and overdone, while 取って付けたよう focuses on the lack of naturalness and the feeling of being tacked on.
不ふ自し然ぜん
不自然 is a more general word for 'unnatural', while 取って付けたよう specifically implies something added artificially and insincerely.

Etymology

From the verb 取って付ける (to attach or add something), literally 'as if attached'. The phrase describes something that feels added on artificially rather than being a natural part.