Japanese word

威張る

Pronunciation

Romajiibaru

Meaning

  • verbact arrogantly

Example

彼は成功すると、すぐに威張ります。kare wa sei kō su ru to su gu ni i ba ri ma su

He acts arrogantly as soon as he succeeds.

Illustration for 威張る (act arrogantly)

More examples

自信があっても、相手の前で威張らないことが大切です。ji shin ga a tte mo ai te no mae de i ba ra na i ko to ga tai setsu de su

Even when you are confident, it is important not to act arrogantly in front of others.

Core concept

It describes projecting importance or power outward in order to take a superior position toward other people.

Common phrases

  • 人前で威張るhito mae de i ba ru

    act arrogantly in public

  • 威張って話すi ba tte hana su

    speak arrogantly

Similar words

思い上がるomoiagaru: To believe without good reason that one is more important or capable than others.
偉ぶるeraburu: To behave as if one is important or superior to others.
驕るogoru: To become overly proud of success, status, or ability and act superior.

Definition in Japanese

力や地位があることをことさらに示し、他人に対して高慢な態度を取る。chikara ya chi i ga a ru ko to o ko to sa ra ni shime shi ta nin ni tai shi te kō man na tai do o to ru

Word origin

威張る (ibaru) reflects the phrase 威を張る (i o haru), "to show authority," with 威 (i, "authority") and 張る (haru, "to make prominent") forming its basis.

Usage tips

  • 威張る (ibaru) can describe an attitude as well as a single act, so it fits both a habitually overbearing person and a brief display of superiority.

Other meanings

  • put on airsverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 威張り屋ibariyaarrogant personnoun

Word lists with this word