1.
beyond one's means; above one's station; unsuitable to one's social position or financial status
Describes something that does not match a person's actual social standing, income level, or abilities — typically something too expensive or too grand for one's circumstances.
分不相応な買い物をしてしまった。
I made a purchase that was beyond my means.
学生にとって分不相応な高級レストランだった。
For a student, it was a high-end restaurant above their station.
分不相応な生活を続けた結果、借金が膨らんだ。
As a result of living beyond their means, their debt grew.
A four-character compound of 分 (one's portion; social standing) + 不 (not) + 相応 (suitable; fitting). The word carries a judgment that someone is reaching beyond what is appropriate for their actual status. It can be used self-deprecatingly or as criticism of others.
USAGE:
- Often used with な to modify nouns: 分不相応な暮らし (a lifestyle beyond one's means)
- Can be used self-deprecatingly: 「分不相応ですが…」(It's above my station, but...)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 分不相応な生活: living beyond one's means
- 分不相応な望み: an aspiration above one's station
- 分不相応な贅沢: extravagance beyond one's means
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 身の丈に合わない: not fitting one's actual size/status — a more colloquial expression with the same meaning
- 分相応: suitable to one's station — the positive opposite
- 贅沢: luxury; extravagance — overlaps when describing excessive spending but focuses on the luxury itself, not the mismatch with status