Meaning

Primary

Malicious

Alternatives

Mean, Jerk

Word Type

な adjective, noun

Explanation

A person whose ideas are grounded in evil is a malicious, mean jerk!

Reading

いじわる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This reading is a combination of the on'yomi readings for and , and the kun'yomi reading for . You've learned them all already, but since has two on'yomi readings, here's a mnemonic to help you remember which one to use:

Malicious, mean jerks get sent to Jesus () to sort them out. If anyone can sort out those malicious jerks, it’s Jesus!

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 意地悪を言う

    to say something malicious

    意地悪をする

    to do something mean

    意地悪をやめる

    to stop doing mean things

Context Sentences

意地悪しちゃダメだよ。

You shouldn't be mean.

そんな意地悪なこと言わないでよ。

Don't say such mean things.

どうして妹に意地悪ばっかりするの!

Why are you so mean to my little sister?!

Kanji Composition