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独りよがり (ひとりよがり) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun, na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
self-righteous ; smug ; self-satisfied ; complacent
Describes a person who is convinced of their own correctness or superiority, often ignoring others' opinions. Can be used as a noun or adjectivally (な-adjective or の-adjective).
うまく
やっ
て
いけ
ない
。
With a self-centered way of thinking, you can't get along well in a team.
Written forms 独ひと りよがり Usage 38%
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling.
ひとりよがり Usage 42%
一人ひとり よがり Usage 14%
irregular kanji usage
Variant using 一人; considered irregular kanji usage but encountered.
独ひと り 善よ がり Usage 6%
Alternate kanji spelling using 善 (good/virtue), implying self-righteousness.
Kanji 独 single, alone, spontaneously Similar words 自じ 己こ 満まん 足ぞく 自己満足 is self-satisfaction without necessarily imposing on others; 独りよがり implies a self-righteous attitude that disregards others.
独どく 善ぜん 的てき 独善的 is a more formal, written term for self-righteousness, while 独りよがり is colloquial and often carries a nuance of smugness.
Etymology Compound of 独り (alone) and 善がり (from 善がる, to be pleased with oneself). The kanji 善 (good/virtue) suggests a self-righteous connotation. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used since at least the Edo period.
virtuous, good, goodness
