図々しい

What it means

図々しい means behaving with shameless brazenness, showing little regard for others' boundaries or social norms; it describes bold, unembarrassed conduct that pushes past acceptable limits.

Main meanings

• shamelessly bold or brazen behavior, especially when demanding or ignoring social boundaries
• an insolent or cheeky attitude toward others
• applied to actions that intrude into someone else's space or etiquette
• tone can be playful, critical, or harsh depending on context

How to use it

Used primarily in casual to informal registers, often in complaint or humor; describes people who push social boundaries, describes behavior rather than a person, and is common in spoken Japanese, blogs, and media commentary; not typically suitable for formal writing.