Japanese word

卑怯

Pronunciation

Romajihikyō

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveunderhanded

Example

彼は卑怯な手を使いました。kare wa hi kyō na te o tsuka i ma shi ta

He used an underhanded trick.

Illustration for 卑怯 (underhanded)

More examples

彼は責任を部下に押しつける卑怯なまねをしました。kare wa seki nin o bu ka ni o shi tsu ke ru hi kyō na ma ne o shi ma shi ta

He used an underhanded tactic to shift the blame onto his subordinates.

Core concept

It refers to avoiding an honest confrontation and gaining an advantage through conduct that is both unfair and lacking in courage.

Common phrases

  • 卑怯な手hi kyō na te

    an underhanded trick

  • 卑怯なまねhi kyō na ma ne

    an underhanded act

  • 卑怯なやり方hi kyō na ya ri kata

    an underhanded method

Similar words

卑劣hiretsu: Having a deeply dishonorable or despicable quality.
姑息kosoku: Using an evasive method to gain a short-term advantage instead of facing a problem directly.
陰険inken: Using concealed and malicious methods to harm or deceive others.

Definition in Japanese

勇気や正々堂々とした態度に欠け、相手の弱みにつけ込むようなさま。yū ki ya sei sei dō dō to shi ta tai do ni ka ke ai te no yowa mi ni tsu ke ko mu yō na sa ma

Word origin

卑怯 (hikyō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 卑 (hi, "mean" or "lowly") and 怯 (kyō, "fearful"), expressing contempt for cowardly conduct.

Usage tips

  • The expression 卑怯な手 (hikyō na te) commonly describes a tactic as morally unfair, so "underhanded move" is often more suitable than the neutral "clever move."

Other meanings

  • cowardlyna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 卑怯さhikyōsaunderhandednessnoun
  • 卑怯者hikyōshacowardnoun

Word lists with this word