Japanese Conversation · Level 24
90 words
Japanese word
でたらめ
Pronunciation
Romajidetarame
Meaning
- nounnonsense
Example
その話はでたらめです。so no hanashi wa de ta ra me de su
That story is nonsense.
More examples
彼は証拠もないのに、でたらめを言いふらしています。kare wa shō ko mo na i no ni de ta ra me o i i fu ra shi te i ma su
He is spreading nonsense without any evidence.
Core concept
Describes content that lacks a reliable basis and therefore seems untrustworthy or senseless.
Common phrases
でたらめを言うde ta ra me o yū
speak nonsense
Similar words
嘘uso: A statement that is knowingly untrue.
妄言bōgen: A foolish or groundless statement that lacks sound reasoning.
荒唐無稽kōtōmukei: An idea or claim that is wildly unreasonable and difficult to believe.
Definition in Japanese
事実に基づかず、筋道も通らない言葉や考え。ji jitsu ni moto zu ka zu suji michi mo tō ra na i koto ba ya kanga e
Word origin
The origin of でたらめ (detarame) is uncertain; 出鱈目 (detarame) is an ateji spelling, so its kanji do not provide a literal etymology.
Usage tips
- In everyday Japanese, でたらめ (detarame) can describe a claim, answer, or plan that is wildly inaccurate or unreasonable, not only a story.