Yojijukugo
Japanese meaning of 慇懃無礼
Voice sample:
いんぎんぶれい (ingin burei)
English Translation:
Polite to the point of rudeness
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Literally “courteous yet rude”; being so overly polite that it actually feels rude or looks down on someone.
日本語で読む
言葉や態度はていねいすぎるほどなのに、かえって失礼であること。うわべはていねいでも、心の中では相手を見下していること。
Cultural Context:
It is used for politeness that feels cold or mocking, such as a reply full of formal phrases that ignores what you actually asked.
日本語で読む
形式ばったていねいな言葉ばかりで、こちらの話をまともに聞かない返事など、冷たさや見下しを感じるていねいさに使う。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Often “慇懃無礼な態度” or “慇懃無礼だ.”
日本語で読む
•「慇懃無礼な態度」「慇懃無礼だ」のように使う。
Trap for English Speakers
慇懃 alone means “very polite,” but the phrase as a whole is criticism, not praise.
日本語で読む
「慇懃」だけなら「とてもていねい」という意味だが、「慇懃無礼」はほめ言葉ではなく批判の言葉。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
店員の対応は言葉こそていねいだったが、どこか慇懃無礼だった。
The clerk's words were polite, but the way he treated us somehow felt condescending.
Example 2Applied Example
敵の使者は深々と頭を下げたが、その慇懃無礼な笑みに忍びは油断しなかった。
The enemy envoy bowed deeply, but the ninja did not trust his politely insolent smile.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「慇懃無礼」 mean?