けしからん

け

し

か

ら

ん

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

expression

outrageous; scandalous; inexcusable; rude; unreasonable

usually written using kana alone

A strong, somewhat old-fashioned exclamation expressing moral indignation. Often used when scolding someone for improper behavior or an unacceptable situation. Can sound a bit dramatic or dated in casual conversation.

こんなに遅ち刻こくするとはけしからん！
It's inexcusable to be this late!
あの政せい治じ家かの態たい度どはまったくけしからん。
That politician's attitude is absolutely disgraceful.

See all 4 example sentences ›

Kanji

怪suspicious, mystery, apparition

Related words

とんでもないN3
とんでもない is a common, everyday way to say something is outrageous or absurd, while けしからん is a stronger, old-fashioned expression of moral indignation.
不ふ届とどき
不届き describes conduct as reprehensible or improper in a formal, often written tone, whereas けしからん is typically spoken aloud in anger at someone's behavior.

Written forms

けしからんUsage100%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 怪しからん is rare.
怪けしからん
Rare kanji spelling; the kana form is strongly preferred in modern usage.

Etymology

Derived from the classical Japanese adjective 怪し (けし, 'strange, suspicious') with the negative auxiliary からん (archaic form of からぬ), literally meaning 'not strange' but used ironically to mean 'outrageous' or 'unacceptable'. The exact semantic shift is uncertain.