Japanese word

おかしな

Pronunciation

Romajiokashina

Meaning

  • pre-noun adjectivalstrange

Example

それはおかしな話ですね。so re wa o ka shi na hanashi de su ne

That is a strange story.

Illustration for おかしな (strange)

More examples

彼の説明にはおかしなところがあります。kare no setsu mei ni wa o ka shi na to ko ro ga a ri ma su

There is something strange about his explanation.

Core concept

Describes something that does not fit ordinary expectations and may therefore seem strange, funny, or ridiculous.

Common phrases

  • おかしな話o ka shi na hanashi

    strange story

  • おかしなことo ka shi na ko to

    strange thing

  • おかしな考えo ka shi na kanga e

    strange idea

Similar words

変hen: Describes something that differs from what is usual and seems odd.

Definition in Japanese

普通の状態や予想から外れていて、奇妙に感じられるさま。fu tsū no jō tai ya yo sō ka ra hazu re te i te ki myō ni kan ji ra re ru sa ma

Word origin

おかしな (okashina) comes from the adjective おかしい (okashii) and ultimately from classical をかし (wokashi), a word for something amusing or appealing.

Usage tips

  • In expressions such as おかしな話 (okashina hanashi), the word can suggest that the story is unusual or hard to believe, not only that it makes people laugh.

Other meanings

  • funnypre-noun adjectival
  • ridiculouspre-noun adjectival

Opposites

Related words

  • おかしさokashisastrangenessnoun

Word lists with this word