Japanese word

生真面目

Pronunciation

Romajikimajime

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveoverserious

Example

彼は冗談を言わず、生真面目です。kare wa jō dan o i wa zu kimajime de su

He does not joke and is overserious.

Illustration for 生真面目 (overserious)

More examples

彼は生真面目な性格ですが、状況に応じて考え方を変えられます。kare wa kimajime na sei kaku de su ga jō kyō ni ō ji te kanga e kata o ka e ra re ma su

He has an overserious personality, but he can change his way of thinking depending on the situation.

Core concept

Presents earnestness as an unbending commitment to proper behavior, making a person seem overly serious.

Common phrases

  • 生真面目な人kimajime na hito

    an overserious person

  • 生真面目な性格kimajime na sei kaku

    an overserious personality

  • 生真面目に働くkimajime ni hatara ku

    work earnestly

Similar words

真面目majime: Having a serious and earnest attitude toward duties and proper behavior.
堅苦しいkatakurushii: Being stiff or formal in a way that makes relaxed behavior difficult.
杓子定規shakushijōgi: Following rules or fixed methods too rigidly without adapting to circumstances.

Definition in Japanese

まじめさが度を越し、冗談や状況に応じた対応をしないさま。ma ji me sa ga do o ko shi jō dan ya jō kyō ni ō ji ta tai ō o shi na i sa ma

Word origin

生真面目 (kimajime) is formed from 生 (ki, "pure") and 真面目 (majime, "serious"), so the first element strengthens the meaning of the second.

Usage tips

  • Calling someone overserious can point to a lack of playfulness, while calling someone sincere usually emphasizes honesty without that criticism.

Other meanings

  • earnestna-adjective
  • sincerena-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 生真面目さkimajimesaoverseriousnessnoun
  • 生真面目ぶりkimajimeburiearnestnessnoun

Word lists with this word