How to say "mean" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 平均へいきんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers 'mean' only in the mathematical sense of an average. Use it for statistics and numbers, as in calculating the mean of a set of values.
- 卑劣ひれつna-adjective, nounCovers 'mean' describing a contemptible, underhanded act — a mean trick or dirty deed. It condemns behavior as low and shameful rather than merely unkind.
- 醜悪しゅうあくna-adjective, nounIts core senses are 'ugly' and 'hideous'; the gloss 'mean' is marginal, so this is seldom the word you want for 'mean'. Think of it as describing something repulsively unsightly.
- 意地悪いじわるna-adjective, nounThe everyday 'mean' for people and behavior: unkind, malicious, or ill-tempered. Use it of a person who is mean to others, in the sense of nasty rather than contemptible.
- i-adjectiveGlossed 'miserly; stingy,' i.e. mean with money, but its familiar sense is really 'sly, sneaky, unfair,' so it is seldom the word you want for 'mean'; it is usually written in kana alone.
Choose 平均 for the mathematical mean, 意地悪 for an unkind or nasty person, and 卑劣 for a contemptible act; 醜悪 and 「ずるい」 are only marginal matches, since they primarily mean 'hideous' and 'sly' respectively.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 平均へいきんaverage
- 卑劣ひれつmean
- 醜悪しゅうあくugly
- 意地悪いじわるmalicious
- 腹黒いはらぐろいmean
- 陋劣ろうれつmean
- 中数ちゅうすうmean
- 中項ちゅうこうmean
- つもりで言うつもりでいうto mean
- 下劣げれつbase
- いけずunkind
- 平均値へいきんちaverage value
- 意地悪いいじわるいill-natured
- ケチくさいstingy
- 品がないひんがないunrefined (character, manners)
- 貧乏くさいびんぼうくさいshabby
- 人が悪いひとがわるいill-natured
- 性格が悪いせいかくがわるいnasty
- 性格悪いせいかくわるいnasty
- せこいpetty
- 浅ましいあさましいwretched
- さもしいlow
- 野卑やひvulgar
- 細微さいびminute
- 中庸ちゅうようmiddle way
- ずるいmiserly
- 卑怯ひきょうunfair
- 卑しいいやしいvulgar
- 中なかmean
- 汚いきたないdastardly
See also
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