わんぱくな

Also written in kanji as 腕白(わんぱく), though the hiragana or katakana spelling is more common today. Typically used to describe boys, though it can apply to any energetically mischievous child. The word has a warm, almost nostalgic tone — it suggests healthy, spirited playfulness rather than malicious behavior.

Usage

Functions as a na-adjective (わんぱくな子(こ)) or as a noun (わんぱくを言(い)う, わんぱく坊主(ぼうず)). Almost exclusively used for children — using it for adults would sound odd or deliberately humorous.

Common collocations

• わんぱくな子(こ): a mischievous child
• わんぱく盛(ざか)り: at the peak of mischievous age
• わんぱく坊主(ぼうず): mischievous little boy
• わんぱくな性格(せいかく): a rambunctious personality

Similar words

• いたずらっ子(こ): prankster, naughty child — focuses on playing tricks rather than general rowdiness
• やんちゃな: unruly, rowdy — very similar but slightly more modern and casual
• 生意気(なまいき)な: cheeky, impudent — more negative, implies rudeness or talking back