1.
nonsensical; irrelevant; off the mark; absurd
Describes something that is completely off-base, irrelevant, or absurdly wrong. Often used for answers, responses, or behavior that misses the point entirely.
頓珍漢な答えをする。
To give an off-the-mark answer.
彼はいつも頓珍漢なことを言う。
He always says absurd things.
質問の意味を理解していないのか、頓珍漢な返事ばかりしている。
Maybe he doesn't understand the questions, because he keeps giving completely irrelevant answers.
Describes something absurdly off the mark or irrelevant. Can function as a na-adjective (頓珍漢な) or as a noun. The kanji are ateji (phonetic spellings with no semantic connection to the meaning).
ETYMOLOGY:
Said to derive from the alternating sounds of hammers at a blacksmith's forge — when two smiths strike out of rhythm, it sounds like "ton-chin-kan," evoking the idea of being out of sync or off-beat.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 頓珍漢な答え: an off-the-mark answer
- 頓珍漢なことを言う: to say nonsensical things
- 頓珍漢な質問: an irrelevant question
- 頓珍漢な行動: absurd behavior
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 的外れ: off the mark — describes missing the point, less colorful
- 見当違い: barking up the wrong tree — fundamentally misunderstanding the situation
- ちぐはぐ: mismatched, inconsistent — things that don't fit together properly