ふてぶてしい

ふてぶてしい
i-adjective
brazen; impudent; shameless
1. brazen; impudent; shameless
Showing bold defiance or lack of shame, especially when one should feel embarrassed or apologetic.
(あやま)るどころか、ふてぶてしい態度(たいど)()った。
Far from apologizing, they took a brazen attitude.
ふてぶてしく(わら)っている犯人(はんにん)()(はら)()った。
I got angry seeing the culprit smirking brazenly.
あのふてぶてしさには(あき)れる。
I'm appalled by that impudence.

CONJUGATION:

  • ふてぶてしい → ふてぶてしく (adverbial)
  • ふてぶてしい → ふてぶてしくない (negative)
  • ふてぶてしい → ふてぶてしかった (past)
  • ふてぶてしい → ふてぶてしさ (noun form)

ETYMOLOGY:
Possibly from ふてくされる (to sulk defiantly) with emphatic doubling.

USAGE:
Always negative. Describes someone who should show remorse or humility but instead acts bold and unapologetic.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ふてぶてしい態度(たいど) (brazen attitude)
  • ふてぶてしい(かお) (impudent face)
  • ふてぶてしく居座(いすわ)る (to brazenly stay put)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 図々(ずうずう)しい - shameless, impudent
  • (あつ)かましい - brazen, pushy
  • 生意気(なまいき) - cheeky, cocky