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へそ曲がり (へそまがり) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Meanings 1
noun, na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
perverseness ; contrariness ; perverse person
Describes a person who habitually goes against others or does the opposite of what is expected, often out of stubbornness or a twisted disposition. Can refer to the trait itself or to such a person. Used in casual and neutral contexts.
あの へそ 曲ま がり な 態たい 度ど に は 本ほん 当とう に 困こま る 。
That perverse attitude is really troublesome.
Written forms へそ 曲ま がり Usage 56%
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling.
へそまがり Usage 30%
臍へそ 曲ま がり Usage 11%
Full kanji spelling; 臍 is not a jōyō kanji and is rarely used.
ヘソマガリ Usage 4%
へそ 曲まが り
Variant with simplified okurigana.
臍へそ 曲まが り
Full kanji spelling with simplified okurigana; very rare.
Similar words 天邪鬼あまのじゃく 天邪鬼 also means a contrarian or perverse person, but it carries a more folkloric or playful nuance, often used for someone who deliberately says the opposite. へそ曲がり is more about a stubborn, twisted personality.
頑がん 固こ 頑固 means stubbornness in general, while へそ曲がり specifically implies a perverse or contrary streak, not just inflexibility.
Etymology Literally 'bent navel', from へそ (navel) and 曲がり (bending, crookedness). The phrase figuratively suggests a twisted or warped disposition from birth. The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a native Japanese expression.
