軽蔑|けいべつkeibetsu[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbcontempt; scorn; disdain; despising; looking down on; slighting
    私は彼かれをひどく軽蔑けいべつしている。↗
    I have a fine contempt for him.
Conjugation
Dictionary form軽蔑する(けいべつする)
Polite (masu)軽蔑します(けいべつします)
Negative (nai)軽蔑しない(けいべつしない)
polite (masen)軽蔑しません(けいべつしません)
classical zu / nu軽蔑せず・軽蔑せぬ(けいべつせず・けいべつせぬ)
Past (ta)軽蔑した(けいべつした)
polite (mashita)軽蔑しました(けいべつしました)
Past negative (nakatta)軽蔑しなかった(けいべつしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)軽蔑しませんでした(けいべつしませんでした)
Te form軽蔑して(けいべつして)
Potential軽蔑できる(けいべつできる)
Passive軽蔑される(けいべつされる)
Causative軽蔑させる(けいべつさせる)
Causative passive軽蔑させられる(けいべつさせられる)
Conditional (ba)軽蔑すれば(けいべつすれば)
tara軽蔑したら(けいべつしたら)
Volitional軽蔑しよう(けいべつしよう)
polite (mashou)軽蔑しましょう(けいべつしましょう)
Imperative軽蔑しろ(けいべつしろ)

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym蔑視べっしWrittenWritten/formal prose word for contempt, as in 「女性蔑視」; 「軽蔑」 is the more everyday choice. For discrimination itself, say 「差別」.
  • Synonym侮蔑ぶべつWrittenWritten/formal prose: scorning someone you see as beneath you; common in 「侮蔑的な言葉」. 「軽蔑」 is the more widely used word.
  • Synonym軽視けいしNeutralNeutral: not taking something seriously; centres on attitude. 「軽蔑」 centres on despising a person's character.
  • Synonym見下すみくだすCasualColloquial: to look down on someone from a superior position. Close to 「軽蔑」 but more colloquial.
  • Synonym蔑むさげすむNeutralNeutral native verb: to despise someone, with a cold edge. 「軽蔑」 is a separate Sino-Japanese noun, used as a verb in the form 「軽蔑する」.
  • Synonym侮るあなどるNeutralNeutral: to underestimate someone, as in 「侮れない」. 「軽蔑」 centres on despising a person's character.
  • Synonym軽侮けいぶWrittenWritten/formal prose for contempt or slighting; rare. 「軽蔑」 is the more common word.
  • Synonym蔑するなみするWrittenArchaic verb for ignoring or treating something as unimportant; rare today. 「軽蔑」 is the more common choice.
  • Related蔑みさげすみWrittenA noun for a cold, disdainful attitude or feeling toward someone. 「軽蔑」 is the more common word.
  • Related卑しむいやしむWrittenTo look down on or despise someone. 「軽蔑」 is more common and centres on despising a person's character.
  • Related卑しめるいやしめるWrittenTo demean or insult someone. 「軽蔑」 centres on the inner feeling of contempt.
  • Related侮りあなどりNeutralNeutral noun for making light of or looking down on someone. 「軽蔑」 centres on despising.
  • Related侮慢ぶまんWrittenWritten/formal prose for arrogant, insulting behaviour; rare. Say 「侮辱」 or 「軽蔑」 instead.
  • Antonym尊敬そんけいNeutralNeutral: respect. The opposite of 「軽蔑」 in its sense of looking down on people.
  • Antonym敬愛けいあいWrittenWritten/formal prose: respect and affection. The opposite of 「軽蔑」 in its sense of despising.

To express looking down on someone's character, use 「軽蔑」, as in 「軽蔑の眼差し」. For written/formal prose scorn, choose 「蔑視」 or 「侮蔑」; to underestimate, 「侮る」; to look down from above, 「見下す」; to say you don't value something, 「軽視」; and for the opposite, respect, 「尊敬」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. ばかにすること。品格ひんかくを低ひくく見みて、くだらない物ものとして扱あつかうこと。
  2. ばかにする。品格ひんかくを低ひくく見みて、くだらない物ものとして扱あつかう。
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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