Japanese word

気取る

Pronunciation

Romajikidoru

Meaning

  • verbput on airs

Example

彼は人前では気取ります。kare wa hito mae de wa ki do ri ma su

He puts on airs in public.

Illustration for 気取る (put on airs)

More examples

彼は難しい言葉を使って気取ります。kare wa muzuka shi i koto ba o tsuka tte ki do ri ma su

He puts on airs by using difficult words.

Core concept

Adopts a deliberately refined or impressive manner to seem more sophisticated than one really is.

Common phrases

  • 気取って話すki do tte hana su

    speak affectedly

  • 気取った態度ki do tta tai do

    affected manner

Similar words

格好つけるkakkōtsukeru: To behave in a stylish or impressive way to attract attention.
すかすsukasu: To act cool and detached to appear impressive.
澄ますsumasu: To act calm and refined in an affected way.

Definition in Japanese

実際以上に上品で教養があるように振る舞う。jis sai i jō ni jō hin de kyō yō ga a ru yō ni fu ru ma u

Word origin

気取る (kidoru) combines 気 (ki, "spirit or manner") and 取る (toru, "take"), expressing the adoption of an affected manner.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 気取る (kidoru) usually criticizes a manner that seems deliberately sophisticated rather than simply describing polished behavior.

Opposites

  • 気さくkisakufriendlyna-adjective

Related words

  • 気取りkidoriaffectationnoun
  • 気取り屋kidoriyaposeurnoun

Word lists with this word