こいつ

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Informal and rough. About a person it can be affectionate (こいつ、面白(おもしろ)いんだ) or contemptuous, depending on tone; never use it about a superior.

Usage

こいつ is part of the こ・そ・あ・ど set of rough pronouns: こいつ (near the speaker), そいつ (near the listener or just mentioned), あいつ (far from both), どいつ (which one). Sense 2 is common in casual speech for objects, animals, problems, or situations: こいつは便利(べんり)だ (this thing is handy).

Writing

Occasionally written 此奴(こいつ), but usually in hiragana.

Similar words

• この人(ひと): the neutral way to say "this person"
• この方(かた): respectful
• これ: the neutral word for a thing
• 奴(やつ): guy, fellow; equally rough