粋|いきiki[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. na-adjective, nounchic; smart; stylish; tasteful; refined; sophisticatedalso written as 意気
    You're looking snappy today.
  2. na-adjective, noununderstanding; considerate; thoughtful; sensible
  3. na-adjective, nounfamiliar with worldly pleasures (esp. sexual relations, geisha districts and red-light districts)
Conjugation
Plain form粋(いき)
Polite (desu)粋です(いきです)
Negative (dewa nai)粋ではない(いきではない)
polite (dewa arimasen)粋ではありません(いきではありません)
Past (datta)粋だった(いきだった)
Past negative (dewa nakatta)粋ではなかった(いきではなかった)
Te form (de)粋で(いきで)
Adverbial (ni)粋に(いきに)
Conditional (nara)粋なら(いきなら)

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym小粋こいきNeutralChic and tasteful — applies to people, clothes or arrangements, as in 「小粋な計らい」. 「粋」 puts more weight on Edo-style refinement and social tact.
  • SynonymおしゃれNeutralAbout dressing fashionably and caring how one looks; also someone who loves to dress up. 「粋」 goes beyond looks, adding social tact and doing things with flair.
  • SynonymシックNeutralA loanword for subdued, understated chic, often with quiet, muted colors. 「粋」 instead has a traditional Japanese, free-and-easy flair.
  • Synonym瀟洒しょうしゃWrittenWritten, formal word for crisp, clean elegance, chiefly of buildings and clothing, as in 「瀟洒な洋館」. 「粋」 centers on Edo-style elegance and fits people as well as dress.
  • Synonym洒落たしゃれたNeutralTasteful and fashionable; also used of witty speech. 「粋」 puts more emphasis on Edo-style dash and social savvy.
  • RelatedいなせCasualColloquial Edo dialect for a dashing, chivalrous young man. 「粋」 is not limited to men and also covers graceful, refined bearing.
  • RelatedハイカラNeutralA Meiji-era word for Western-style fashion, now tinged with retro charm. 「粋」 is a traditional Japanese aesthetic.
  • Antonym野暮やぼNeutralBoorish and unfashionable, oblivious to romance and tact — the direct opposite of 「粋」, as in 「野暮なことを言う」.

Use 「粋」 for Japanese-style refinement and social tact. For looking fashionable in everyday talk, say 「お洒落」; 「シック」 means subdued elegance, and the written word 「瀟洒」 suits graceful buildings or clothes. 「野暮」 is the opposite.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. (いき)身みなりや振る舞ふるまいが洗練せんれんされていて、格好かっこうよいこと。また、そのさま。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

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

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