Meaning of ずる賢い(ずるがしこい) in Japanese

Japanese word definition and usage

Reading and JLPT level ずる賢い, 狡賢い

Kana Reading ずるがしこい

Romaji zurugashikoi

Parts of speech

adjective (keiyoushi)

Meaning

sly

Example Sentences

ずる賢い, 狡賢い, ずるがしこい used in context

最大限(さいだいげん)に首相(しゅしょう)(し(する)ゅし(する)ょう)という権力(けんりょく)を利用(りよう)(りよう)し(する)、自己(じこ)の保身(ほしん)の為に(ために)利用(りよう)(りよう)するキツネ(きつね)のように(ざま)ずる賢い(ずるがし(する)こい)首相(しゅしょう)(し(する)ゅし(する)ょう)に見えて(みえる)くる。

He has come to look like a sly-as-a-fox Premier who uses his position's powers to the fullest extent, to his own advantage.
彼(あれ)は実力(じつりょく)のある政治家(せいじか)に見せかけている(みせかける)が、実際(じっさい)にはずるがしこい政治屋(せいじや)だ。

He makes believe that he is a practical statesman, but in really he is a cunning politician.
彼(あれ)は賢い(かしこい)と言うより(というより)はずるがしこい。

He is more crafty than wise.
彼(あれ)はとてもずる賢い(ずるがしこい)ので私(わたし)は嫌い(きらい)だ。

I don't like him because he is sly as a fox.

Popular Study Lists

Study lists that include this entry

Related Kanji

Kanji found in this word

賢 JLPT 2

intelligent, wise, wisdom, cleverness

On: ケン

Kun: かしこ.い

16 strokes

Learn more

狡

cunning, sly, crafty, niggardly

On: コウ, キョウ

Kun: ずる.い, こす.い, わるがしこ.い

9 strokes

Learn more

Go beyond looking it up

Turn every word you look up into a word you actually know

You found the word. Now make it stick. Nihongo Master connects the dictionary directly to your personal study system so one click is all it takes.

Save to personal study lists
Drill with spaced repetition until it sticks
Print handwriting practice sheets
Test yourself with skill quizzes
Track progress across every word you study

Start Free 7-Day Trial

No credit card required. Cancel anytime.

The Nihongo Master Dictionary mobile app

Get the Nihongo Master Dictionary app

Look up 190,000+ words and 6,000+ kanji completely offline — with full conjugations, stroke-order writing practice, a sentence analyzer, and spaced-repetition review. Free on iPhone.

Android coming soon

Learn more about the app

Earn with Nihongo Master

Love Japanese? Share it and get paid.

Join the Nihongo Master affiliate program. Share your link and earn 30% on every payment your referrals make, for as long as they stay subscribed.

30% lifetime recurring commission
60-day referral cookie
No approval needed — start right away
Monthly payouts via PayPal

Learn More About the Program

Free Japanese learning resources

Everything you need to start — no account required.