平然(へいぜん)

へいぜん
na-adjective
calm; nonchalant
emotion
1. calm; nonchalant; unperturbed
Remaining composed and unaffected in a situation where most people would be upset, embarrassed, or surprised. Often implies the calmness is surprising or somewhat inappropriate given the circumstances.
彼(かれ)は平然(へいぜん)としていた。
He was perfectly calm.
嘘(うそ)をついても平然(へいぜん)としている。
Even after lying, he acts completely nonchalant.
大勢(おおぜい)の前(まえ)で失敗(しっぱい)したのに、平然(へいぜん)と話(はな)し続(つづ)けた。
Despite making a mistake in front of a large crowd, she continued speaking calmly.

Can be used as a na-adjective (平然(へいぜん)とした顔(かお)) or adverbially (平然(へいぜん)と). Often carries a nuance of surprise or criticism — the speaker finds the person's calmness unexpected or even inappropriate given the situation. When used negatively, it implies someone is shameless or unfazed when they should feel embarrassment or guilt.

Common patterns

  • 平然(へいぜん)としている: to be unperturbed, to act as if nothing happened
  • 平然(へいぜん)とした顔(かお): a calm/unfazed face
  • 平然(へいぜん)と嘘(うそ)をつく: to lie without batting an eye

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 冷静(れいせい) (calm, composed)
Compare: 泰然(たいぜん) (composed, unruffled)
Compare: 平気(へいき) (fine, unfazed)
general
Added 2026.4.2 1:12 · Revised 2026.9.9 0:23
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