1.
prosperous; well-off; influential; doing well
Describes someone who is financially successful, influential, or spending money freely. Often implies visible wealth and social standing.
あの人は羽振りがいい。
That person is doing well financially.
最近、彼は羽振りがいいようだ。
He seems to be doing well for himself lately.
バブルの頃は羽振りがよかったが、今はすっかり落ちぶれてしまった。
He was doing well during the bubble era, but he has fallen on hard times now.
羽振り originally refers to the way a bird flaps its wings — by extension, one's influence or prosperity. The image is of spreading one's wings wide, suggesting power and reach.
USAGE:
Often used with a slight undertone of observation or envy — commenting on someone else's visible prosperity. Can also carry a mildly critical nuance, implying someone is spending ostentatiously. The negative form 羽振りが悪い (not doing well) is less common.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 羽振りがいい — prosperous, well-off
- 羽振りがよかった — was doing well (past)
- 羽振りを利かせる — to throw one's weight around
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 裕福 — wealthy, affluent; neutral description of wealth
- 金回りがいい — flush with cash; money circulating well
- 景気がいい — business is good; can also mean spending freely