Japanese word

異様

Pronunciation

Romajiiyō

Meaning

  • na-adjectivestrange

Example

その光景は異様です。so no kō kei wa i yō de su

That scene is strange.

Illustration for 異様 (strange)

More examples

その部屋には、異様な緊張感が漂っていました。so no heya ni wa i yō na kin chō kan ga tadayo tte i ma shi ta

There was a strange tension in the room.

Core concept

Describes something that looks or feels far outside what is normal, making its strangeness especially noticeable.

Common phrases

  • 異様な光景i yō na kō kei

    a strange sight

  • 異様な雰囲気i yō na fun i ki

    a strange atmosphere

Similar words

奇妙kimyō: Describes something that seems strange because it is unusual or unexpected.
不気味fukimi: Describes something that gives an uneasy feeling through its strange appearance or presence.
変hen: Describes something that is noticeably different from what is usual or expected.
異常ijō: Describes a state or behavior that is outside a normal or accepted range.

Definition in Japanese

普通とは著しく異なって見えたり感じられたりするさま。fu tsū to wa ichijiru shi ku koto na tte mi e ta ri kan ji ra re ta ri su ru sa ma

Word origin

異 (i, "different") + 様 (yō, "appearance" or "state") forms a Sino-Japanese word for a markedly unusual appearance or state.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 異様 (iyō) is stronger than strange and often suggests that a scene or appearance feels unsettling, not merely unfamiliar.

Other meanings

  • bizarrena-adjective
  • oddna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 異様さiyōsastrangenessnoun

Word lists with this word