The Meaning of zuuzushii [図々しい] In Japanese

図々しい
ずうずうしい
Romaji: zuuzushii N3

What does 図々しい mean?

Translation and Meaning

brazen, shameless, audacious, presumptuous

Definition

図々しい means behaving with shameless brazenness, showing little regard for others’ boundaries or social norms; it describes bold, unembarrassed conduct that pushes past acceptable limits.

Type

adjective (i-adjective)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • shamelessly bold or brazen behavior, especially when demanding or ignoring social boundaries
  • an insolent or cheeky attitude toward others
  • applied to actions that intrude into someone else’s space or etiquette
  • tone can be playful, critical, or harsh depending on context

Etymology

From the mimetic ずうずう (zuuzuu) sequence indicating boldness, (zuuzuu) sequence indicating boldness, attached to the kanji 図 to form the compound and the repetition mark 々 to intensify, plus the suffix しい to form an i-adjective.

Composition

  • 図: figure, diagram, image; 々: repetition mark that repeats the previous character to intensify; しい: adjective suffix that turns the base into an -i adjective

Usage

Used primarily in casual to informal registers, often in complaint or humor; describes people who push social boundaries, describes behavior rather than a person, and is common in spoken Japanese, blogs, and media commentary; not typically suitable for formal writing.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: picture a bold figure (図) that repeats itself (々) to press its point, helping you recall the sense of repeated boldness behind 図々しい.

Variations

  • 厚かましい (atsukamashii) — shameless, audacious
  • 生意気 (namaiki) — cheeky, impertinent
  • 図太い (ずぶとい) (zubutoi) — thick-skinned, brazen
  • 謙虚 (kenkyo) — humble (antonym)
図々しい