よそよそしい
よそよそしい
i-adjective
distant; cold; unfriendly
1.
distant; cold; aloof
Behaving in a way that lacks warmth or familiarity, as if treating someone as a stranger.
最近、彼の態度がよそよそしい。
Lately, his attitude has been distant.
よそよそしい挨拶を交わした。
We exchanged cold greetings.
なぜかよそよそしく感じる。
For some reason, I feel there's a distance between us.
FORMS:
- よそよそしい (plain)
- よそよそしく (adverbial) - distantly, coldly
- よそよそしさ (noun) - coldness, aloofness
ETYMOLOGY:
From よそ (elsewhere, other place/person) reduplicated + しい (adjective suffix). The reduplication emphasizes the sense of treating someone as if they were a stranger.
WORD STRUCTURE:
よそ (outside, elsewhere) × 2 + しい (adjective ending) → behaving as if the other person is an outsider
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 冷たい - cold (emotionally)
- そっけない - curt, blunt
- 水くさい - overly formal, standoffish (especially when closer relationship is expected)
- 他人行儀 - formal/distant manner
CONTRAST:
- 親しい - friendly, close
- フレンドリー - friendly