Translation and Meaning of: 厚かましい - atsukamashii

If you have ever heard a Japanese person grumbling 厚かましい (あつかましい) with a mix of irritation and disbelief, you know that this word carries an interesting cultural weight. On Suki Nihongo, the largest online Japanese dictionary, you can find not only the meaning—insolent, shameless, cheeky—but also the correct writing in kanji, example sentences for memorization on Anki, and even curiosities about how it is used in daily life. In this article, we'll uncover everything from the etymology to situations in which the Japanese frequently exclaim "Atsukamashii!"

Origin and etymology of 厚かましい

The kanji 厚 (atsu) means "thick" or "generous," while かましい (kamashii) is a suffix that indicates excess, often with a negative connotation. Together, they paint the picture of someone whose "thickness" is not in kindness, but in audacity—like a person who invades your space without asking for permission. Interestingly, the combination emerged during the Edo period (1603-1868), when Japanese society began to value delicacy even more in interactions. Those who were 厚かましい were, literally, "rude" in social dealings.

One detail that few people notice: the かましい originally came from the verb 構う (kamau), which means "to care." In other words, the word suggests that the individual acts as if others do not matter—sheer selfishness. It is no wonder that it is often associated with situations where someone takes advantage of others' goodwill, such as asking for absurd favors or arriving late without apologizing.

Lies in Japanese everyday life

Imagine a colleague who always "forgets" their wallet during group lunches and expects others to pay for them. Or that acquaintance who shows up at your house unannounced and even opens your fridge. These are exactly the scenarios that make a Japanese person roll their eyes and murmur あつかましい. The word is common in informal contexts, but it also appears in serious discussions—like when a politician misuses public funds and acts as if nothing has happened.

A valuable tip: the Japanese rarely use 厚かましい directly to criticize someone (after all, it would be… atsukamashii too much). Instead, they use indirect expressions like "ちょっと厚かましいと思う" (I think that is a bit cheeky). If you want to avoid conflicts, pay attention to how they make subtle criticisms—even reprimands in Japan have layers of politeness.

How to memorize and trivia

To reinforce the term, think of the kanji 厚 as a "thick cover" of shame that a person should have, but doesn't. A friend of mine jokes that she can hear the sound of a 厚かましい when someone speaks loudly on their phone on the train—it's that feeling of "how can this person not be ashamed?". If you've lived in Japan, you probably have a story like that.

And here’s a useful pun: in Kansai, they sometimes use あつよか (atsuyoka), a relaxed variation that keeps the same meaning. But be careful—this is one of those words that, if used at the wrong time, can sound more offensive than you intended. It's better to let the natives use it when the situation really calls for it.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 厚顔無恥 (こうがんむち) - Shameless, bold; behaves in a cheeky manner without caring about the opinions of others.
• 図々しい (ずうずうしい) - Shameless; someone who is not ashamed to ask or demand in an abusive manner.
• 生意気 (なまいき) - Arrogant; reckless in behavior, especially towards someone older or more experienced.
• 不遜 (ふそん) - Disdainful; an attitude of contempt and lack of respect towards others.
• 大胆 (だいたん) - Bold; courage and determination to act, regardless of the consequences.
• 傍若無人 (ぼうじゃくぶじん) - Act as if there were no rules; behavior that completely ignores boundaries and consideration for others.
• 恥知らず (はじしらず) - Shameless; someone who behaves in a way that social norms would typically disapprove of.
• 無礼 (ぶれい) - Disrespectful; lack of courtesy and respect in social interactions.
• 無恥 (むち) - Shameless, similar to "恥知らず", but it may imply a lack of awareness of behavior.