横柄・押柄|おうへいouhei[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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Which spelling to use
横柄横柄 is the most common written form of this word. It is the form learners should use by default in writing.
押柄押柄 is a rarely used kanji variant of 横柄. Learners will seldom encounter it and should generally choose 横柄 instead.
Definitions
- na-adjective, nounarrogant; haughty; insolent
Conjugation
| Plain form | 横柄（おうへい） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 横柄です（おうへいです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 横柄ではない（おうへいではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 横柄ではありません（おうへいではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 横柄だった（おうへいだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 横柄ではなかった（おうへいではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 横柄で（おうへいで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 横柄に（おうへいに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 横柄なら（おうへいなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym高慢こうまんNeutralGeneral word for a proud, self-satisfied mindset of looking down on others; 「横柄」 is more about coarse, overbearing manner in speech and behavior.
- Synonym傲慢ごうまんNeutralEveryday word for feeling superior and being rude about it; broader in range than 「横柄」, and also the name of one of the seven deadly sins.
- Synonym高飛車たかびしゃNeutralTaking a high-handed, over-the-top strong stance toward someone; usable for both speech and actions, and tougher than 「横柄」.
- Synonym腰高こしだかCasualThis sense is rare; the word usually refers to a sumo stance with the hips too high, so its focus differs from 「横柄」.
- Synonym不遜ふそんWrittenWritten: an attitude with no humility, looking down on the other person; often in 「傲岸不遜」. Close to 「横柄」 but more literary.
- Synonym傲岸ごうがんWrittenWritten: stressing that one holds oneself above others and disregards them; mostly in 「傲岸不遜」. More refined than 「横柄」.
- Synonym傲慢不遜ごうまんふそんWrittenWritten four-character word for extreme arrogance and contempt for others; a heavier charge than 「横柄」 on its own.
- Synonym尊大そんだいWrittenWritten: someone in a strong position putting on grand airs and posturing; more showy than 「横柄」.
- Synonym驕傲きょうごうWrittenRare written word for pride and complacency, seen almost only in texts; more archaic than 「横柄」.
- Synonym居丈高いたけだかCasualColloquial: bearing down on someone in an intimidating, overbearing way; angrier and more oppressive than 「横柄」.
- Synonym驕慢きょうまんWrittenRare written word for arrogance that despises others, found mostly in literature; more archaic than 「横柄」.
- Synonym高慢ちきこうまんちきCasualColloquial, derogatory: an insult for someone putting on superior airs; more mocking than 「横柄」.
- RelatedワンマンNeutralLoanword for a leader who ignores others' opinions and runs things single-handedly; 「横柄」 is about being rude to people.
- Related高姿勢こうしせいNeutralA hard-line, assertive stance, typically in negotiations and dealings; it need not imply the personal rudeness that 「横柄」 describes.
- Related高圧的こうあつてきNeutralCrushing the other side through power, as in 「高圧的な態度」; more coercive than 「横柄」.
- Related御高いおたかいCasualColloquial, mostly as 「お高くとまる」: putting on airs and refusing to engage with people; colder than 「横柄」.
- Related偉そうえらそうCasualThe most common everyday choice: acting self-important; more casual than 「横柄」.
Use 「横柄」 for arrogant, rude, overbearing treatment of people, as in 「横柄な態度」. In daily speech say 「偉そう」 or 「傲慢」; for pressing people through power use 「高圧的」; in writing prefer 「尊大」 or 「不遜」. 「高姿勢」 is a hard-line stance in dealings that need not imply personal rudeness; 「ワンマン」 is a dictatorial style; 「腰高」 usually means a sumo stance.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
