ガキ

ガ

キ

Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

usually written using kana alonecolloquial

Colloquial, often derogatory or affectionate term for a child, similar to 'brat' or 'little devil'. Used mainly by adults or older kids.

近きん所じょのガキがうるさくて困こまる。
The neighborhood brats are so noisy, it's a problem.
あのガキ、またいたずらしたな。
That little devil has been up to mischief again.

noun

preta; hungry ghost

Buddhism

Buddhist term for a tormented spirit with insatiable hunger; the original meaning of the word.

餓が鬼きは仏ぶっ教きょうの六ろく道どうの一ひとつで、常つねに飢うえと渇かわきに苦くるしむ存そん在ざいだ。
Preta is one of the six realms in Buddhism, a being constantly tormented by hunger and thirst.

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Usage patterns

〈人ひと〉をガキ扱あつかいするto treat someone like a kid/brat
彼かれはもう20歳さいなのに、みんなにガキ扱あつかいされている。
Even though he's already 20, everyone treats him like a kid.
ガキのくせにeven though (someone) is just a kid
ガキのくせに、そんなことを言いうな。
Don't say things like that when you're just a kid.
近きん所じょのガキthe neighborhood kids/brats
近きん所じょのガキが庭にわで騒さわいでいる。
The neighborhood kids are making noise in the yard.

Expressions

墨すみは餓が鬼きに磨すらせ、筆ふでは鬼おにに持もたせよgrind your inkstick gently but move your brush vigorously

Kanji

餓starve, hungry, thirst
鬼ghost, devil

Related words· 7

子こ供どもN5sense 1
子供 is the neutral, standard word for a child, while ガキ is slangy and often carries a rude or affectionate derogatory nuance.
小こ僧ぞう sense 1
小僧 is an old-fashioned, slightly contemptuous term for a boy, whereas ガキ is more modern, everyday slang for a child.
ちび sense 1
ちび describes small physical size rather than age, while ガキ specifically means a child and often implies bratty behavior.
悪あく童どう sense 1
悪童 is a slightly literary, gentler word for a mischievous child, whereas ガキ is blunt, casual slang.

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砂利じゃりN1
餓鬼 is a blunter, more derisive slang term for a child than 砂利, which can carry a lighter, half-affectionate tone.
キッド
ガキ is rough slang for a kid that can sound dismissive or derogatory, whereas キッド stays neutral to friendly.
わっぱ
ガキ is the common modern slang for a brat, whereas わっぱ has an old-fashioned or regional flavor.

Opposites

大人おとなN5sense 1
大人 means 'adult,' the direct opposite of ガキ's meaning 'child/brat.'

Don't confuse with

鬼おにN3sense 2
鬼 shares the kanji with 餓鬼 and means 'demon/ogre,' but 餓鬼 refers specifically to a hungry ghost (or, in slang, a child).

Word family

ガキンチョ
brat; kid; urchin; little devil
施せ餓が鬼き
Buddhist service for hungry ghosts
クソガキ
stupid brat; little shit; son of a bitch
餓が鬼き道どう
realm of hungry ghosts; preta realm

Written forms

ガキUsage72%
kana-only spelling
Common colloquial spelling for the 'brat' sense; usually written in kana.
餓が鬼きUsage20%
Kanji spelling used primarily for the Buddhist 'hungry ghost' sense.
がきUsage8%
Hiragana variant of the colloquial 'brat' sense.

Etymology

Originally a Buddhist term for 'hungry ghost' (preta), later used colloquially to refer to children, likening their constant demands to the insatiable hunger of a preta.