生真面目(きまじめ)

きまじめ
na-adjective, noun
overly serious; too earnest; strait-laced
formalpersonality
1. overly serious; too earnest; strait-laced
Being excessively serious or earnest to the point of inflexibility. Often implies someone who lacks humor, is rigid in their thinking, or takes everything too literally.
彼(かれ)は生真面目(きまじめ)で冗談(じょうだん)が通(つう)じない。
He's so serious that jokes go right over his head.
生真面目(きまじめ)に考(かんが)えすぎないで。
Don't think about it too seriously.
あの人(ひと)は生真面目(きまじめ)な性格(せいかく)だから、融通(ゆうずう)が利(き)かない。
That person is so strait-laced that they can't be flexible.

Forms

生(き) (prefix intensifying meaning) + 真面目(まじめ) (serious, earnest)

The 生(き) prefix intensifies 真面目(まじめ) to mean 'excessively' or 'overly' serious.

Usage

While 真面目(まじめ) (serious, earnest) is generally positive, 生真面目(きまじめ) carries a slightly negative nuance of being too rigid, humorless, or inflexible. It suggests someone who could benefit from loosening up.

Similar words

  • 真面目(まじめ) - Serious, earnest (neutral to positive)
  • 堅(かた)い - Stiff, formal, uptight
  • 杓子定規(しゃくしじょうぎ) - Inflexible, going by the book

Related Words

Related: 真面目(まじめ) (serious)
Compare: 堅(かた)い (Stiff, formal, uptight)
general
Added 2026.1.18 13:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
06500/06675_kimajime