JLPT · Level 181
15 words
Japanese word
きざ
Pronunciation
Romajikiza
Meaning
- na-adjectiveaffected
Example
あの人の話し方はきざです。a no hito no hana shi kata wa ki za de su
That person's way of speaking is affected.
More examples
その俳優は舞台できざに構えています。so no hai yū wa bu tai de ki za ni kama e te i ma su
The actor is putting on an affected pose on stage.
Core concept
Describes a deliberately refined manner that seems unnatural rather than natural or sincere.
Common phrases
きざな言い方ki za na i i kata
affected way of speaking
きざな態度ki za na tai do
affected attitude
きざに構えるki za ni kama e ru
strike an affected pose
Definition in Japanese
言葉遣いや態度などが、気取っていてわざとらしく感じられるさま。koto ba zuka i ya tai do na do ga ki do tte i te wa za to ra shi ku kan ji ra re ru sa ma
Word origin
The word comes from 気障り (kizawari, "something that feels unpleasant"), shortened to 気障 (kiza) and later associated with a showy, affected manner.
Usage tips
- The English word affected can mean either influenced by something or deliberately unnatural in manner, and きざ (kiza) corresponds to the second sense.
Other meanings
- pretentiousna-adjective
- conceitedna-adjective
Opposites
- 自然体shizentaiunaffectednoun
Related words
- きざさkizasaaffectednessnoun