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.

皮肉(ひにく) can function as both a noun and a na-adjective. It covers both verbal sarcasm and situational irony.

Common patterns

The word literally combines 皮(かわ) (skin) and 肉(にく) (flesh/meat), suggesting something superficial or surface-level, hence the meaning of saying the opposite of what one means.

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)
general
Added 2026.1.13 20:59 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
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