ひねくれ者(もの)

ひねくれもの
noun
contrary person; cynic; contrarian
informalpersonpersonality
1. contrary person; cynic; contrarian
A person who is perverse, contrary, or twisted in personality — someone who deliberately goes against the grain, sees things negatively, or refuses to go along with others out of stubbornness.
あいつはひねくれ者(もの)だ。
That guy is a contrarian.
ひねくれ者(もの)だから素直(すなお)に喜(よろこ)べない。
Being a cynic, I can't just be straightforwardly happy about it.
彼(かれ)はひねくれ者(もの)だが、根(ね)は優(やさ)しい人(ひと)だ。
He's a contrarian, but deep down he's a kind person.

From the verb ひねくれる (to become twisted/perverse) plus 者(もの) (person). Describes someone whose personality or outlook is warped — they are difficult, contrary, or habitually negative. Can be used self-deprecatingly or about others. The term has a mildly negative tone but is often used with affection or humor.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 天(あま)の邪鬼(じゃく): contrarian — a person who deliberately says or does the opposite of what is expected, often playfully
  • 偏屈(へんくつ): stubborn and difficult — emphasizes being set in one's ways and hard to deal with
  • 皮肉屋(ひにくや): cynic, sarcastic person — focuses on using sarcasm or irony

Related Words

Compare: 偏屈(へんくつ) (stubborn and difficult)
Compare: 皮肉屋(ひにくや) (cynic, sarcastic person)
general
Added 2026.4.9 1:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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