Translation and Meaning of: 傲る - ogoru

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about less common words in the language, you may have come across the term 傲る (おごる). This word carries interesting nuances and a meaning that goes beyond the first impression. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, everyday use, and even tips to memorize it efficiently. Whether to enrich your vocabulary or to better understand Japanese culture, this guide will help you master 傲る once and for all.

The term 傲る (おごる) means "to be arrogant" or "to be proud."

The word 傲る (おごる) is a Japanese verb that expresses the idea of acting with arrogance, superiority, or presumption. It can be translated as "to be proud," "to act with haughtiness," or "to behave in an aloof manner." Unlike other terms that indicate pride, such as 自慢する (じまんする), 傲る carries a more negative connotation, often associated with an unpleasant or disrespectful attitude.

It is worth noting that the use of this word is not very common in everyday Japanese, appearing more in literary contexts, formal discussions, or social critiques. This does not mean that it is obsolete, but its use tends to be more specific, usually to describe overly pretentious behaviors.

The origin and writing of 傲る

The kanji 傲 is composed of the radical 人 (person) combined with 敖, which by itself carries the idea of "pride" or "arrogance." This combination is not random: it reinforces the concept of a person who places themselves above others. Etymologically, the word has roots in classical Chinese, where the character was used with a similar meaning, showing how certain cultural values have crossed linguistic borders.

In modern Japanese, 傲る is primarily written in kanji, but it can also appear in hiragana (おごる) in informal texts or when the author wants to soften the impact of the word a bit. The kun'yomi reading (おごる) is the most common, although the kanji also has an on'yomi reading (ごう) in compounds like 傲慢 (ごうまん), which means "arrogance" in an even more intense way.

How and when to use 傲る in daily life

Due to its negative connotation, 傲る is not frequently used in casual conversations. Its use is more common in criticisms, such as when describing someone who behaves with unjustified superiority. For example, a boss who humiliates subordinates or a colleague who constantly belittles others could be described as 傲っている人.

Interestingly, this word can also appear in ironic or self-deprecating contexts. Someone who jokes with themselves saying "今日はちょっと傲っちゃった" ("Today I acted a bit arrogantly") is acknowledging pretentious behavior lightly. However, this type of usage greatly depends on the tone and the relationship between the people involved in the conversation.

Tips for memorizing 傲る

An effective way to memorize 傲る is to visually associate it with its kanji. Notice that the radical 人 (person) is "elevated" above the component 敖, almost as if it is looking down on others. This mental image can help to remember the meaning related to arrogance.

Another strategy is to create connections with similar words. For example, 傲慢 (ごうまん) shares the first kanji and amplifies the idea of excessive pride. By learning these terms together, you build a network of meanings that makes it easier to remember all of them.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 傲る

• 傲る - Infinitive basic form
• 傲ります - Polite polite way
• 傲った - Past form Past tense
• 傲ります - Negative form Negative
• 傲れ - Imperative form Imperative

Synonyms and similar words

• 傲慢 (Gouman) - Arrogance, disdain for others.
• 高慢 (Kouman) - Arrogance, excessive pride, usually in a context of superiority.
• 傲岸 (Gouan) - Arrogance and disdain, as an attitude of contempt.
• 傲然 (Gouzen) - With an arrogant attitude, in a position of superiority.
• 傲嗤 (Goushi) - Scorn and disdain, often expressed by laughing or mocking.

傲る

Romaji: ogoru
Kana: おごる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: to feel proud

Meaning in English: to be proud

Definition: [Akiraru] They think they are superior to what they have just acquired, do not surrender to others, disrespect superiors, and act selfishly. He is great, he is proud, he is good at this, he is arrogant.

Example Sentences - (傲る) ogoru

See below some example sentences:

彼女は自分の能力に傲っている。

Kanojo wa jibun no nouryoku ni ogorotte iru

She is proud of her abilities.

She is arrogant in her abilities.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 自分 (jibun) - Yourself
• の (no) - Particle that indicates possession
• 能力 (nouryoku) - Skill, capacity
• に (ni) - particle that indicates action or destination
• 傲っている (hokotteiru) - be proud, arrogant