(ちょうせんてき)

ちょうせんてきな
na-adjective
challenging; defiant; provocative
descriptive
1. challenging; provocative; defiant
Showing a bold, confrontational, or provocative attitude. Can describe a person's demeanor, gaze, or words that challenge the status quo or provoke a reaction.
(かれ)挑戦的(ちょうせんてき)態度(たいど)とった。
He took a defiant attitude.
挑戦的(ちょうせんてき)()つき相手(あいて)にらんだ。
She glared at her opponent with a provocative look.
The minister was at a loss for words in response to the reporter's provocative question.
2. ambitious; pushing boundaries
Attempting something difficult or innovative that tests limits. Used positively to describe ambitious projects, experimental works, or bold approaches.
この作品(さくひん)挑戦的(ちょうせんてき)(こころ)だ。
This work is an ambitious undertaking.
More restaurants are taking on innovative menus.
(わか)監督(かんとく)挑戦的(ちょうせんてき)演出(えんしゅつ)話題(わだい)になっている。
The young director's boundary-pushing direction has become a hot topic.

A na-adjective formed from 挑戦(ちょうせん) (challenge) + (てき). Has two distinct uses: one negative-leaning (confrontational, provocative attitude) and one positive (ambitious, pushing boundaries).

The confrontational sense is common when describing someone's 態度(たいど) (attitude), ()つき (gaze), or 発言(はつげん) (remarks). The ambitious sense appears frequently in arts, business, and sports contexts.

Common collocations

Similar words