Proverb / Kotowaza
慇懃無礼
Polite behavior or language that is so excessive or insincere that it becomes insulting or offensive.
Courtesy that is actually rudeness
Quick Answer
Polite behavior or language that is so excessive or insincere that it becomes insulting or offensive.
- Literal Image
- Courtesy that is actually rudeness
- How to Use It
- Used to describe people whose formal manners feel insincere, condescending, or sarcastic, particularly in customer service or professional settings.
Meaning
This expression describes an attitude where someone appears extremely polite on the surface, but their behavior masks an underlying sense of superiority or malice. By being 'too polite,' the person creates a cold or sarcastic atmosphere that makes the recipient feel looked down upon or uncomfortable. It can be used when politeness is used as a tool to mock or distance oneself from others.
Literal Image
Courtesy that is actually rudeness
How to Use It
Used to describe people whose formal manners feel insincere, condescending, or sarcastic, particularly in customer service or professional settings.
Tone
Critical and negative; used to point out a lack of genuine respect despite formal appearances.
Examples
彼の態度は一見丁寧だが、どこか慇懃無礼なところがあって好感が持てない。
His attitude seems polite at first glance, but there is a certain insincere arrogance to it that makes him hard to like.
過剰な敬語や回りくどい言い方は、慇懃無礼と受け取られることがあるので注意が必要だ。
One must be careful, as excessive honorifics and indirect phrasing can sometimes be perceived as mocking politeness.
あの店員は客に対して慇懃無礼な態度をとったため、苦情が寄せられた。
A complaint was filed because that clerk treated the customer with a condescendingly polite attitude.
彼女は慇懃無礼な笑みを浮かべ、本心を見せようとしなかった。
She wore a mask of cold politeness, refusing to show her true feelings.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
This is a four-character compound (yojijukugo) using formal vocabulary and an idiomatic structure typical of literary or professional contexts.
慇懃
いんぎん / ingin
politeness, courtesy
無礼
ぶれい / burei
rudeness, discourtesy
Usage Profile
Usage note: Using this term to describe someone is a direct criticism of their character and sincerity.
Misread Risk
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply being very polite; it specifically implies that the politeness is fake or used to look down on others.
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Origin
The expression is a combination of two words: 'ingin' (courtesy) and 'burei' (rudeness). While 'ingin' itself refers to being heartfelt and polite—appearing as far back as the Manyoshu—pairing it with 'burei' creates a sarcastic meaning. The concept is reflected in historical texts such as the Kikigaki Zenshu, attributed to Hosokawa Yusai, which notes that excessive humility can turn into 'ingin birou' (unsightly politeness), a phrase used similarly to Ingin Burei.
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.