Japanese word

いい加減

Pronunciation

Romajiiikagen

Meaning

  • na-adjectivecareless

Example

彼はいい加減な仕事をして、注意されました。kare wa i i ka gen na shi goto o shi te chū i sa re ma shi ta

He did careless work and was warned.

Illustration for いい加減 (careless)

More examples

そんないい加減な約束は信じられません。so n na i i ka gen na yaku soku wa shin ji ra re ma se n

I cannot trust such an irresponsible promise.

Core concept

Refers to handling a matter without giving it the care, precision, or responsibility that it calls for.

Common phrases

  • いい加減な仕事をするi i ka gen na shi goto o su ru

    do careless work

  • いい加減な返事i i ka gen na hen ji

    careless reply

  • いい加減な説明i i ka gen na setsu mei

    careless explanation

Similar words

ずさんzusan: Describes work or management that is poorly planned and carried out without sufficient care.
適当tekitō: Describes handling done without sufficient care or thought.
粗雑sozatsu: Describes work that is rough and lacking in care or precision.

Definition in Japanese

仕事などに対する注意や責任感が乏しく、手を抜いて行うさま。shi goto na do ni tai su ru chū i ya seki nin kan ga tobo shi ku te o nu i te okona u sa ma

Word origin

いい (ii, "good") is a native Japanese word, while 加減 (kagen, "degree or adjustment") is Sino-Japanese; together, いい加減 (iikagen) shifted from "a suitable degree" to "improperly careless."

Usage tips

  • The expression いい加減にして (iikagen ni shite) is commonly used when someone's behavior has gone too far, rather than when work is simply careless.

Other meanings

  • irresponsiblena-adjective
  • perfunctoryna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • いい加減さiikagensacarelessnessnoun

Word lists with this word