失礼|しつれいshitsurei[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N4approx.Common
しつらいshitsuraiokしちらいshichiraiok
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verb, na-adjectivediscourtesy; impoliteness
    あなたはこの前まえの夜よるの失礼しつれいな振る舞ふるまいをスミス夫人ふじんに謝罪しゃざいすべきです。↗
    You should apologize to Mrs. Smith for your rude behavior the other night.
  2. expressionexcuse me; goodbye
    「失礼しつれいですが」とアンが話はなしに割わって入はいった。↗
    "Excuse me," Ann broke in.
  3. suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbto leave
    それではそろそろ失礼しつれいします。↗
    Well, I must be going.
  4. suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbto be rude
    お返事へんじを書かくのがすごく遅おそくなってしまい、大変たいへん失礼しつれいいたしました。↗
    I'm extremely embarrassed that it has taken so long to reply.
Conjugation
Dictionary form失礼する(しつれいする)
Polite (masu)失礼します(しつれいします)
Negative (nai)失礼しない(しつれいしない)
polite (masen)失礼しません(しつれいしません)
classical zu / nu失礼せず・失礼せぬ(しつれいせず・しつれいせぬ)
Past (ta)失礼した(しつれいした)
polite (mashita)失礼しました(しつれいしました)
Past negative (nakatta)失礼しなかった(しつれいしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)失礼しませんでした(しつれいしませんでした)
Te form失礼して(しつれいして)
Potential失礼できる(しつれいできる)
Passive失礼される(しつれいされる)
Causative失礼させる(しつれいさせる)
Causative passive失礼させられる(しつれいさせられる)
Conditional (ba)失礼すれば(しつれいすれば)
tara失礼したら(しつれいしたら)
Volitional失礼しよう(しつれいしよう)
polite (mashou)失礼しましょう(しつれいしましょう)
Imperative失礼しろ(しつれいしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym無礼ぶれいWrittenWritten/formal prose. An outright lack of courtesy toward anyone, as in 「無礼者」; heavier than 「失礼」 and carrying a tone of rebuke.
  • Synonym非礼ひれいWrittenWritten/formal prose for a breach of etiquette, as in 「非礼を詫びる」; used less often than 「失礼」.
  • Synonym失敬しっけいCasualColloquial. Covers rudeness and taking leave, as in 「失敬な」 and 「では失敬」 (the latter masculine); also used jokingly for taking something without permission.
  • Synonym無作法ぶさほうNeutralUnversed in manners and etiquette, as in 「無作法な食べ方」; the focus is on how one conducts oneself.
  • Related傍若無人ぼうじゃくぶじんWrittenA four-character idiom for acting as if no one were around, as in 「傍若無人な振る舞い」.
  • Related無骨ぶこつWrittenWritten/formal prose. Rough and unversed in etiquette, as in 「無骨な男」; not necessarily derogatory.
  • Related生意気なまいきCasualColloquial. A junior acting big-headed and presumptuous, as in 「生意気な後輩」.
  • Related傲慢ごうまんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Arrogance that looks down on others, as in 「傲慢な態度」.
  • Related粗野そやNeutralCoarse, vulgar speech or behavior, as in 「粗野な言葉」; stresses vulgarity rather than disrespect.
  • Related不躾ぶしつけWrittenWritten/formal prose. Presumptuous or abrupt behavior, as in 「不躾なお願い」; often used in self-deprecating apologies.
  • Related僭越せんえつWrittenWritten/formal prose. Overstepping one's station, as in 「僭越ながら」, a humble way to excuse speaking out of turn.
  • RelatedちょこざいCasualColloquial. Smart-alecky cheek and arrogance, as in 「猪口才な」; heard mostly in period-drama dialogue.
  • Related不埒ふらちFormalFormal written language. Conduct that defies morality, as in 「不埒な奴」; carries strong condemnation.
  • Related不行儀ふぎょうぎWrittenWritten/formal prose. Improper behavior, as in 「不行儀な子」; focuses on deportment and manners.
  • Related無遠慮ぶえんりょNeutralUtterly unrestrained, as in 「無遠慮な質問」; stresses paying no heed to the other person's feelings.
  • Related小賢しいこざかしいCasualColloquial. Smart-alecky and presumptuous, as in 「小賢しい口をきく」.
  • RelatedこしゃくCasualColloquial. Cheeky without knowing one's place, as in 「小癪な真似」; said with disdain.
  • Related厚顔こうがんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Brazen shamelessness, as in 「厚顔無恥」.
  • Related不遜ふそんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Arrogant and insolent, as in 「不遜な態度」.
  • Related小生意気こなまいきCasualColloquial. A youngster acting cheeky and full of himself; more contemptuous than 「生意気」.
  • Antonym丁寧ていねいNeutralThe opposite of 「失礼」: polite and attentive, as in 「丁寧な言葉遣い」.
  • Antonym礼儀正しいれいぎただしいNeutralThe opposite of 「失礼」: well-mannered and courteous, as in 「礼儀正しい青年」; common in both speech and writing.

Use 「失礼」 by default for rudeness or for excusing yourself and leaving. For a heavier, rebuking tone use 「無礼」; for presumptuous requests or apologies 「不躾」 or 「僭越ながら」; for a cheeky junior 「生意気」; for arrogance 「傲慢」 or 「不遜」; for ill-mannered behavior 「無作法」. The opposite quality is 「丁寧」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 礼儀れいぎを失しっすること。無作法ぶさほう。
  2. 別わかれること。立ち去たちさること。辞去じきょ。
Kanji in this word
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android