赤(あか)の他人(たにん)

あかのたにん
noun, expression
complete stranger; total stranger; person with no connection whatsoever
person
1. complete stranger; total stranger
A person with absolutely no connection or relationship to oneself. Emphasizes the complete lack of any bond, acquaintance, or relation.
私(わたし)にとって彼(かれ)はもう赤(あか)の他人(たにん)だ。
To me, he is now a complete stranger.
赤(あか)の他人(たにん)に助(たす)けてもらった。
I was helped by a complete stranger.
赤(あか)の他人(たにん)なのに、親切(しんせつ)にしてくれた。
Even though we were total strangers, they were kind to me.

Etymology

赤(あか) here is an intensifier meaning "completely" or "utterly" (not the color red). This use of 赤(あか) appears in other expressions like 赤(あか)っ恥(ぱじ) (utter embarrassment) and 赤裸々(せきらら) (frank, completely bare).

Usage

Stronger than just 他人(たにん) (stranger). Emphasizes:

  • Complete absence of any relationship
  • No blood ties, friendship, or acquaintance
  • Used when severing ties or emphasizing distance
  • Expressing that someone is/has become irrelevant to you
  • Describing unexpected kindness from strangers
  • Discussing family estrangement
  • Contrasting relationships (family vs. strangers)

Common patterns

Similar words

Related Words

Synonym: 見(み)ず知(し)らず (total stranger)
Compare: 見知(みし)らぬ人(ひと) (stranger)
general
Added 2026.1.19 22:50 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
07000/07455_akanotanin