狡猾(こうかつ)

こうかつ
na-adjective, noun
cunning; crafty; sly
1. cunning; crafty; sly
Skilled at achieving one's ends through deceit or manipulation; clever in a dishonest or underhanded way.
狡猾(こうかつ)な策略(さくりゃく)。
A cunning scheme.
狡猾(こうかつ)な政治家(せいじか)に騙(だま)された。
I was deceived by a cunning politician.
あの商人(しょうにん)は狡猾(こうかつ)で有名(ゆうめい)だ。
That merchant is famous for being sly.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 狡猾(こうかつ)な策略(さくりゃく) - cunning scheme
  • 狡猾(こうかつ)な手口(てぐち) - sly trick
  • 狡猾(こうかつ)な人間(にんげん) - crafty person
  • 狡猾(こうかつ)さ - cunningness (noun form)

NUANCE:
Strong negative connotation. Implies intelligence used for dishonest or manipulative purposes.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 巧妙(こうみょう) - clever, ingenious (more neutral, can be positive)
  • ずる賢(がしこ)い - sly, crafty (more casual)
  • 悪(わる)賢(がしこ)い - cunning (emphasizes bad intent)
general
Added 2026.1.20 22:21
07500/07639_koukatsu