横おう柄へい

お

う

へ

い

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

na-adjective, noun

arrogant; haughty; insolent

Describes a person, attitude, or manner that is overbearing and condescending. Often used for someone who acts superior or talks down to others.

彼かれの横おう柄へいな態たい度どには本ほん当とうに腹はらが立たつ。
His arrogant attitude really makes me angry.

あの店てん員いんは客きゃくに対たいして横おう柄へいだ。

That clerk is insolent toward customers.

Written forms

横おう柄へいUsage96%
Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency news and spec priority.
おうへいUsage4%
押おう柄へい
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.

Kanji

横sideways, side, horizontal
柄design, pattern, build
押push, stop, check

Similar words

傲ごう慢まん
傲慢 is a stronger, more formal word for arrogance, often implying a deep-seated pride. 横柄 is more about outward behavior and manner, and is slightly more common in everyday criticism.
高こう慢まん
高慢 also means arrogant or proud, but can sometimes carry a nuance of being vain or conceited. 横柄 focuses more on insolent, overbearing conduct.

Etymology

The kanji 横 (side, horizontal) and 柄 (handle, pattern) combine to suggest a sideways, off-center bearing, i.e., an attitude that is not straight or respectful. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the compound has been used since at least the Edo period to describe overbearing behavior.