Japanese word

理不尽

Pronunciation

Romajirifujin

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveunreasonable

Example

彼の要求は理不尽です。kare no yō kyū wa ri fu jin de su

His demand is unreasonable.

Illustration for 理不尽 (unreasonable)

More examples

店員の説明があまりに理不尽ですので、責任者に相談しました。ten in no setsu mei ga a ma ri ni ri fu jin de su no de seki nin sha ni sō dan shi ma shi ta

The clerk's explanation was so unreasonable that I consulted the manager.

Core concept

Describes a demand, decision, or situation that lacks a reasonable basis and cannot be fairly justified.

Common phrases

  • 理不尽な要求ri fu jin na yō kyū

    an unreasonable demand

  • 理不尽な扱いri fu jin na atsuka i

    unreasonable treatment

Similar words

不合理fugōri: Describes something that is not based on sound reasoning or a reasonable standard.
不条理fujōri: Describes something so contrary to reason that it seems absurd or impossible to explain.
無理muri: Describes a demand or arrangement that is too difficult, excessive, or unacceptable to carry out.
無茶mucha: Describes a forceful demand or action that disregards practical limits.

Definition in Japanese

道理に合わず、納得できないほど一方的で不公平なさま。dō ri ni a wa zu nat toku de ki na i ho do ip pō teki de fu kō hei na sa ma

Word origin

理不尽 (rifujin) combines 理 (ri, "reason") with 不 (fu, "not") and 尽 (jin, "exhaust"), expressing something that cannot be justified by reason.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 理不尽 (rifujin) can describe not only a demand but also the person or system imposing it, and it often carries a stronger sense of unfairness than simple unreasonableness.

Other meanings

  • unfairna-adjective
  • outrageousna-adjective
  • absurdna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 理不尽さrifujinsaunreasonablenessnoun

Word lists with this word