曲者くせもの

noun

ruffian; villain; suspicious character

Refers to a person of dubious character, often with criminal or untrustworthy connotations. Can be used seriously or lightly.

• あの男おとこはどうも曲者くせものだ。

  That man seems like a suspicious character.

• 時じ代だい劇げきにはよく曲者くせものが登とう場じょうする。

  Villains often appear in period dramas.

noun

peculiar person; idiosyncratic person; stubborn fellow

Describes someone with unusual habits, strong opinions, or a difficult personality. Often used with a mix of exasperation and amusement.

• 彼かれはなかなかの曲者くせもので、自じ分ぶんの意い見けんを曲まげない。

  He's quite a character; he never budges from his opinions.

• あの作さっ家かは曲者くせものぞろいの登とう場じょう人じん物ぶつを描えがくのがうまい。

  That author is good at depicting a cast of idiosyncratic characters.

noun

tricky thing; something more than it seems

Used for objects, situations, or problems that are deceptively complex or have hidden difficulties.

• このパズルはなかなかの曲者くせものだ。

  This puzzle is quite a tricky one.

• 一いっ見けん簡かん単たんそうだが、この問もん題だいは曲者くせものだ。

  It looks easy at first glance, but this problem is a tricky one.

noun

expert; master; highly skilled person

Often used with a nuance of slyness or cunning skill, not just straightforward expertise. Can imply someone who is wily or crafty in their field.

• 彼かれは交こう渉しょうの曲者くせものだ。

  He's a master of negotiation.

• あの棋き士しはまさに曲者くせものと呼よぶにふさわしい。

  That shogi player truly deserves to be called a master.

noun

goblin; apparition; monster; ghost

Archaic or literary use for supernatural beings, especially in old tales. In modern contexts, it may appear in historical or fantasy settings.

• 古ふるい物もの語がたりには、曲者くせものが夜よな夜よな現あらわれる話はなしがある。

  In old tales, there are stories of goblins appearing night after night.