僭越
せんえつ
presumptuous, forward
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Examples
僭越ながら一言申し上げます。
せんえつながらひとこともうしあげます。
At the risk of being presumptuous, allow me a word.
僭越ながら乾杯の音頭を取らせていただきます。
せんえつながらかんぱいのおんどをとらせていただきます。
Presumptuous though it is of me, let me propose the toast.
僭越な発言をお許しください。
せんえつなはつげんをおゆるしください。
Please forgive my presumptuous remark.
Common patterns
- 僭越ながら
- at the risk of presuming
- 僭越ですが
- forgive my presumption, but
- 僭越な振る舞い
- presumptuous behaviour
Memory tip
僭 is overstepping your station, so 僭越ながら prefaces doing something that by rank should fall to someone more senior — proposing a toast, opening a speech. It is a ritual apology, not a real confession.
Kanji in this word
- 僭Not in the N5–N1 kanji lists
- 越cross over, exceedエツ・こえる・こす
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does 僭越 mean?