猪口才

Japanese

Kanji in this term
猪	口	才
ちょ Jinmeiyō	く > こ Grade: 1	ざい Grade: 2
on'yomi	irregular	on'yomi

Alternative spelling
猪口才 (kyūjitai)

Alternative forms

• (shortening) 猪口

Etymology

The kanji are ateji (当て字). Compare 猪(ちょ)口(こ) (choko, “sake cup”). Attested from at least the 18th century. (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [t͡ɕo̞ko̞za̠i]

Adjective

猪(ちょ)口(こ)才(ざい) • (chokozai) -na (adnominal 猪(ちょ)口(こ)才(ざい)な (chokozai na), adverbial 猪(ちょ)口(こ)才(ざい)に (chokozai ni))

1. impertinent, proud, insolent, cheeky

   Synonym: 小賢しい (kozakashii)

   • 1955, Nakazato Kaizan, Daibosatsu tōge, volume 21, page 52:

     「猪(ちょ)口(こ)才(ざい)な、こん畜(ちく)生(しょう)め」米(よね)友(とも)はその大(おお)猿(さる)を片(かた)手(て)で掴(つか)んで群(ぐん)猿(さる)の中(なか)へ投(な)げ込(こ)んで

     “Chokozai na, kon chikushō me” Yonetomo wa sono ōsaru o katate de tsukande gun saru no naka e nagekonde

     “Cheeky, this brute,” Yonetomo grabbed the big monkey with one hand and threw him into the middle of the troupe.

Noun

猪(ちょ)口(こ)才(ざい) • (chokozai) 

1. impertinence

   Synonym: 小生意気 (konamaiki)

2. one who is impertinent, cheeky; one who behaves insolently, impertinently