Japanese word

卑しい

Pronunciation

Romajiiyashii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivevulgar

Example

その卑しい言葉は使わないでください。so no iya shi i koto ba wa tsuka wa na i de ku da sa i

Please do not use that vulgar language.

Illustration for 卑しい (vulgar)

More examples

彼は人前で卑しい冗談を言いません。kare wa hito mae de iya shi i jō dan o i i ma se n

He does not tell vulgar jokes in public.

Core concept

Describes something that falls below accepted standards of dignity and sounds coarse or lacking in refinement.

Common phrases

  • 卑しい言葉iya shi i koto ba

    vulgar language

  • 卑しい冗談iya shi i jō dan

    vulgar joke

  • 卑しい欲望iya shi i yoku bō

    base desire

Similar words

げすいgesui: Describes language or behavior that is plainly vulgar and lacks social refinement.
俗っぽいzokuppoi: Describes a style or manner that feels common and unsophisticated.

Definition in Japanese

社会的な品位を欠き、慎みのないさま。sha kai teki na hin i o ka ki tsutsushi mi no na i sa ma

Word origin

The modern adjective 卑しい (iyashii) is linked to いやし (iyashi), an old Japanese word for something "low" or "base"; its written form uses 卑 (hi, "low"), matching that meaning.

Usage tips

  • In conversational Japanese, 卑しい (iyashii) can refer to coarse words, a grasping attitude, or low social status, so translating it as vulgar in every context loses part of its range.

Other meanings

  • lowlyi-adjective
  • lowborni-adjective
  • greedyi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 卑しさiyashisavulgaritynoun

Word lists with this word