- namaiki impertinent, saucy, cheeky, impudent, audacious, cocky, pert, brash
Informal spoken word used to scold someone, especially a younger person, for acting above their station; stronger and more personal than 失礼.
生意気なことを言うな。
Namaiki na koto o iu na.
Don't say such cheeky things.
あの新人は生意気だ。
Ano shinjin wa namaiki da.
That new guy is cocky.
⚖️ Often confused with 無礼 (burei), which means rude or disrespectful behavior, while 生意気 specifically criticizes someone acting above their age or position.
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