チンピラ
ちんぴら
noun
punk, thug, hoodlum
1.
punk, thug, hoodlum
A young, low-ranking delinquent or petty criminal. Often implies someone who acts tough or intimidating but is not a serious organized crime figure.
チンピラに絡まれた。
I got hassled by some punks.
駅前でチンピラが大声で騒いでいた。
Some thugs were making a ruckus in front of the station.
あいつはチンピラみたいな格好をしているけど、実は真面目な学生だ。
He dresses like a thug, but he's actually a serious student.
NUANCE:
チンピラ implies a low-level troublemaker, not a serious criminal or organized crime member. It carries a sense of petty intimidation — someone who picks fights, harasses passersby, or acts menacingly. The word is often used dismissively.
REGISTER:
Informal and somewhat rough. Using this word to describe someone is insulting.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- チンピラに絡まれる: to be hassled by punks
- チンピラ風: thug-like, punk-style
- 街のチンピラ: street thug
- チンピラみたいな格好: thug-like appearance