悪ガキ

wakagaki
nounIntermediate brat, little troublemaker
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.

Collocations

悪ガキ時代days of being a little troublemaker悪ガキの頃when I was a little brat

Related Phrases

悪ガキ大将phrase
the leader of a group of troublemaking kids
悪ガキ時代phrase
the time when someone was a mischievous child

💡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

bad, evil
root
+
ガキ
child, kid (colloquial)
root
和英辞典