How to say "cocky" in Japanese

• 生意気なまいきJLPT N2approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers the cheeky, impertinent sense of 'cocky': someone, often a child or junior, who talks back or acts smart. The speaker disapproves of the attitude.
  彼かれは父親ちちおやに生意気なまいきな事ことを言いった。↗

  He was impertinent to his father.
• とっぽい
  i-adjectiveColloquial and less common; it can mean cocky or fresh but leans toward affected and pretentious behavior, someone putting on airs. For plain cockiness it is seldom the word you want.
• 自信たっぷりじしんたっぷり
  na-adjective, adverbDescribes someone brimming with confidence; it is neutral or positive as 'confident' and only reads as 'cocky' or 'full of oneself' when the confidence seems excessive.

Use 生意気 for cheeky, impertinent cockiness toward others, 「自信たっぷり」 for cockiness that is really overconfidence or being full of oneself, and 「とっぽい」 only colloquially for a fresh, affected, pretentious manner.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 生意気なまいきimpertinent
• とっぽいcocky
• 自信たっぷりじしんたっぷりconfident