Japanese Conversation · Level 72
75 words
Japanese word
そっけない
Pronunciation
Romajisokkenai
Meaning
- i-adjectivecurt
Example
彼女の返事はそっけないです。kano jo no hen ji wa so kke na i de su
Her reply is curt.
More examples
彼は初対面の人にはそっけないですが、慣れるとよく話します。kare wa hatsu tai men no hito ni wa so kke na i de su ga na re ru to yo ku hana shi ma su
He is curt with people he has just met, but he talks a lot once he gets used to them.
Core concept
It presents a person, reply, or manner as withholding the warmth and involvement expected in a social exchange.
Common phrases
そっけない返事so kke na i hen ji
a curt reply
そっけない態度so kke na i tai do
a curt attitude
そっけない対応so kke na i tai ō
a curt response
Similar words
冷たいtsumetai: Having a manner that lacks warmth or friendly feeling toward others.
よそよそしいyosoyososhii: Showing social distance and little warmth toward others.
つれないtsurenai: Failing to respond with the care or affection that another person expects.
Definition in Japanese
相手への思いやりや親しみを表さず、応対が冷淡であるさま。ai te e no omo i ya ri ya shita shi mi o arawa sa zu ō tai ga rei tan de a ru sa ma
Word origin
そっけない (sokkenai) combines 素っ気 (sokke, "warmth or personal feeling") with ない (nai, "not present"), expressing the absence of a warm response.
Usage tips
- そっけない (sokkenai) can describe a tone, attitude, reply, or person, so it conveys emotional distance rather than mere shortness.
Other meanings
- coldi-adjective
- brusquei-adjective
Opposites
- 丁寧teineipolitena-adjective
Related words
- そっけなさsokkenasacurtnessnoun