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Word 2025 of 4449

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侮る

あなどる

to underestimate, to despise

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. 相手を侮るな。

    あいてをあなどるな。

    Don't underestimate your opponent.

  2. 小さな傷だと侮ってはいけない。

    ちいさなきずだとあなどってはいけない。

    Don't dismiss it just because it is a small wound.

  3. 初心者だと侮ったのが敗因だった。

    しょしんしゃだとあなどったのがはいいんだった。

    Writing him off as a beginner is why we lost.

Common patterns

相手を侮る
to underrate one's opponent
侮れない相手
an opponent not to be taken lightly
侮りがたい
formidable

Memory tip

You will meet it most often in the negative: 侮れない means 'not to be taken lightly' and is a backhanded compliment about a threat. 見くびる is the everyday equivalent; 侮る carries a formal, almost moral reproach.

Kanji in this word

Quick check

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What does 侮る mean?