あほたれ

あ

ほ

た

れ

Meanings

usually written using kana alone

A derogatory term for a foolish person, stronger than あほ. Often used in Kansai dialect but understood nationwide. Can be used as an insult or in a joking manner among close friends.

あほたれ！何なにしてんねん！
You idiot! What are you doing?!
あいつはほんまにあほたれやな。
That guy is a real fool.

Kanji

阿Africa, flatter, fawn upon
呆be amazed, disgusted, shocked
垂droop, suspend, hang

Related words

あほ
あほ is a more common and slightly milder Kansai word for 'fool'. あほたれ is a stronger, more emphatic insult.
ばか
ばか is the standard Japanese word for 'fool', used nationwide. あほたれ is more dialectal and carries a rougher, more insulting tone.

Written forms

アホたれ
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling sometimes used for emphasis or in informal writing.
阿あ呆ほたれ
Kanji form using 阿呆; rarely used in modern writing.
阿あ呆ほ垂たれ
Kanji form using 垂れ; very rare.

Etymology

Derived from あほ (fool) + たれ (a pejorative suffix, from 垂れ meaning 'drip' or 'droop', implying worthlessness). The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a Kansai dialect expression.