noun
rubbernecks; curious onlookers; gawkers
Refers to people who gather to stare at accidents, fires, or disturbances, often with a mildly derogatory tone. Commonly used in the phrase 野次馬根性 (morbid curiosity).
事故現場に野次馬が集まっていた。
A crowd of rubbernecks gathered at the accident scene.
火事を見に来る野次馬が邪魔だ。
The gawkers who come to see the fire are a nuisance.
Rarely used ateji variant.
Kana spelling; used when the ateji kanji are avoided or for clarity.
Search-only mixed katakana-kanji form.
Ateji compound from 野次 (heckling) and 馬 (horse), originally referring to unruly spectators at events. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term now exclusively means rubberneckers or curious onlookers.