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悪ガキ
wakagaki
brat, little troublemaker
あの悪ガキはまた窓を割った。
That brat broke the window again.
informal
A mischievous or troublesome child, often used affectionately or playfully to describe someone who is cheeky or causes minor trouble.
彼は悪ガキの頃、よく近所の猫を追いかけ回していた。
When he was a little troublemaker, he often chased the neighborhood cats.
悪ガキ時代の思い出は今でも笑える。
Memories from my days as a little brat still make me laugh.
The term is often used in a lighthearted or nostalgic way, but can also carry a slightly negative connotation depending on context.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Tone Matters
The term can be affectionate or slightly negative depending on tone and context.
Gold Rule
Contextual Nuance
Use with caution in formal settings, as it can be seen as disrespectful.
Word Origin
Combination of 悪 (bad, evil) and ガキ (child, kid), where ガキ is a colloquial term for a child, often with a slightly negative or playful connotation.
Usage Notes
While the term can be used to describe actual children, it is also often used humorously or nostalgically to refer to one's own childhood or to describe someone's playful or mischievous behavior.
Word Breakdown
悪
bad, evil
rootガキ
child, kid (colloquial)
root和英辞典