皮肉(ひにく)

ひにく
noun, na-adjective
sarcasm, irony; ironic, contrary to expectations
communication
1. sarcasm, irony, cynicism
A mocking or ironic remark, or the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning.
彼(かれ)は皮肉(ひにく)を込(こ)めて「すばらしいね」と言(い)った。
He said sarcastically, 'That's wonderful.'
そんな皮肉(ひにく)を言(い)わないでください。
Please don't make such sarcastic remarks.
彼女(かのじょ)の皮肉(ひにく)は鋭(するど)くて、相手(あいて)を傷(きず)つけることがある。
Her sarcasm is sharp and sometimes hurts people.
2. ironic, contrary to expectations
A situation where the outcome is contrary to what was expected, often in a cruel or unfortunate way.
皮肉(ひにく)なことに、医者(いしゃ)が病気(びょうき)になった。
Ironically, the doctor became sick.
努力(どりょく)した人(ひと)が失敗(しっぱい)し、何(なに)もしなかった人(ひと)が成功(せいこう)するとは皮肉(ひにく)な話(はなし)だ。
It's ironic that the person who worked hard failed and the one who did nothing succeeded.
火事(かじ)で焼(や)けたのが消防(しょうぼう)署(しょ)だったとは、皮肉(ひにく)なものだ。
How ironic that the building that burned down was the fire station.

Common patterns

Similar words

  • 皮肉(ひにく): an indirect jab, often saying the opposite of what one means; also situational irony.
  • 嫌味(いやみ): a remark meant to needle or annoy, whether indirect or blunt; it has no "ironic situation" sense.

Etymology

The word traces to a Buddhist saying that contrasts skin and flesh (皮(ひ)肉(にく)) with bone and marrow: a superficial understanding as against a deep one. From "superficial," it came to mean a cutting remark.

Related Words

Related: 嫌味(いやみ) (a snide remark)
Compare: 揶揄(やゆ) (ridicule)
Compare: 冷笑(れいしょう) (sneer, scornful smile, derision)
Related: 逆説的(ぎゃくせつてき) (paradoxical)
Compare: 風刺(ふうし) (satire)
general
Added 2026.1.13 20:59 · Revised 2026.10.4 9:21
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