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
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).

NUANCE:

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

USAGE CONTEXTS:

  • Expressing that someone is/has become irrelevant to you
  • Describing unexpected kindness from strangers
  • Discussing family estrangement
  • Contrasting relationships (family vs. strangers)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 赤(あか)の他人(たにん)になる - to become complete strangers
  • 赤(あか)の他人(たにん)も同然(どうぜん) - practically a stranger
  • 赤(あか)の他人(たにん)に頼(たよ)る - to rely on a complete stranger

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

  • 見(み)ず知(し)らず - total stranger
  • 行(ゆ)きずり - passerby, chance encounter
  • 他人(たにん) - stranger, other person (less emphatic)
  • 知(し)らない人(ひと) - person one doesn't know

Related Words

Synonym: 見(み)ず知(し)らず (total stranger)
general
Added 2026.1.19 22:50 · Revised 2026.1.24 23:24
07000/07455_akanotanin