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めちゃめちゃ Japanese meaning | Kotomora

めちゃめちゃ

め

ちゃ

め

ちゃ

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

na-adjective, noun

disorderly; messy; ruined

usually written using kana aloneyojijukugo (four-character idiom)

Describes a state of extreme disorder, mess, or ruin. Often used for physical spaces, plans, or situations that have fallen apart.

部屋へやがめちゃめちゃに散ちらかっている。
The room is a complete mess.

台たい風ふうで予よ定ていがめちゃめちゃになった。

My plans were ruined by the typhoon.

2

na-adjective, noun

absurd; unreasonable; excessive

usually written using kana aloneyojijukugo (four-character idiom)

Used for actions, ideas, or demands that are wildly unreasonable, rash, or over the top. Often carries a negative judgment.

そんなめちゃめちゃな要よう求きゅうは受うけ入いれられない。
I can't accept such an unreasonable demand.
彼かれはめちゃめちゃなスピードで車くるまを飛とばした。
He drove the car at a reckless speed.

3

adverb

very; extremely

usually written using kana aloneyojijukugo (four-character idiom)

Adverbial use meaning 'extremely' or 'incredibly'. Common in casual speech to intensify adjectives or verbs.

このラーメン、めちゃめちゃおいしい！
This ramen is incredibly delicious!
昨日きのうはめちゃめちゃ疲つかれた。
I was extremely tired yesterday.

Written forms

めちゃめちゃUsage73%
Standard kana spelling; the word is usually written in kana.
メチャメチャUsage23%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling used for emphasis or in informal writing.
滅め茶ちゃ滅め茶ちゃUsage2%
ateji (phonetic kanji usage)
Ateji kanji spelling; rarely used in modern writing.
目め茶ちゃ目め茶ちゃUsage2%
ateji (phonetic kanji usage)
Ateji kanji spelling; rarely used in modern writing.

Kanji

目eye, class, look
茶tea
滅destroy, ruin, overthrow

Similar words

めちゃくちゃ
Almost synonymous; めちゃくちゃ is slightly more common and can also mean 'nonsensical' or 'illogical', while めちゃめちゃ emphasizes disorder or excess.
ぐちゃぐちゃ
Focuses on a wet, mushy mess or a jumbled state, whereas めちゃめちゃ is broader and includes abstract ruin or unreasonableness.

Etymology

Reduplicative mimetic word; the exact origin is uncertain, but it likely derives from the sound-symbolic element めちゃ, which suggests disorder or breaking. The kanji forms are ateji.