あざとい
あざとい
i-adjective
cunning, calculating; cutely manipulative
1.
cunning, calculating, crafty
Acting in a scheming or manipulative way to achieve one's goals. Traditional meaning with negative connotation.
あざとい手口で客を騙す。
To deceive customers with cunning tactics.
あざとい女だと思われたくない。
I don't want to be seen as a calculating woman.
2.
cutely manipulative, knowingly cute
Deliberately acting cute or charming to get what one wants. Modern usage, often used semi-positively or playfully.
あざとい女だと思われたくない。
I don't want to be seen as a calculating woman.
あざといポーズで写真を撮る。
To take a photo with a knowingly cute pose.
FORMS:
- Adverbial: あざとく (cunningly)
- Noun form: あざとさ (cunning quality)
SEMANTIC SHIFT:
Traditionally negative (sense 1), but since around 2010s, sense 2 emerged in youth culture, particularly regarding deliberately cute behavior in fashion, poses, and social media. This newer usage can be:
- Negative: criticizing calculated behavior
- Neutral/Positive: acknowledging skillful self-presentation
MODERN EXPRESSIONS:
- あざとかわいい: cunningly cute (blend of あざとい + かわいい)
- あざとい仕草: knowingly cute gestures
KANJI FORM:
小聡明い is the historical kanji form but almost never used.