Japanese word

ぞんざい

Pronunciation

Romajizonzai

Meaning

  • na-adjectiverude

Example

店員は客にぞんざいな口調で話します。ten in wa kyaku ni zo n za i na ku chō de hana shi ma su

The clerk speaks rudely to customers.

Illustration for ぞんざい (rude)

More examples

会議中の質問にぞんざいな返事をしてはいけません。kai gi chū no shitsu mon ni zo n za i na hen ji o shi te wa i ke ma se n

You must not give a rude answer to questions during a meeting.

Core concept

Expresses a rough and careless manner toward a person or thing, often with the added sense that the manner is discourteous.

Common phrases

  • ぞんざいな口調zo n za i na ku chō

    a rude tone

  • ぞんざいな扱いzo n za i na atsuka i

    rough treatment

  • ぞんざいに扱うzo n za i ni atsuka u

    treat ___ roughly

Similar words

失礼shitsurei: Shows a lack of politeness or respect toward another person.
無礼burei: Shows openly disrespectful behavior or speech toward another person.
粗雑sozatsu: Shows a rough and careless way of treating a person or thing.

Definition in Japanese

人への態度や物事の扱いが粗く、細かな配慮に欠けるさま。hito e no tai do ya mono goto no atsuka i ga ara ku koma ka na hai ryo ni ka ke ru sa ma

Word origin

The origin of ぞんざい (zonzai) is not securely known; its recorded use consistently describes a lack of care, order, or courtesy.

Usage tips

  • ぞんざいに扱う (zonzai ni atsukau) can describe handling an object carelessly as well as treating a person rudely, so the word is not limited to speech.

Other meanings

  • carelessna-adjective
  • roughna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • ぞんざいさzonzaisarudenessnoun

Word lists with this word