Baka (insult)

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In Japanese, the word ばか baka means "idiot", "moron", "fool" or "dimwit". It can also refer to the condition of being stupid. The word is widely used in conversation and, while derogatory, is not taboo. It is commonly used in Tokyo and other parts of eastern Japan while in Osaka and elsewhere in Japan, aho can be the usual preferred equivalent.

When used as an adjective in Japanese, baka (na) can mean "absurd" or "crazy" in addition to "idiotic." The adverb form baka ni can mean "extremely" and baka ni dekai "extremely large". This usage is common in the Shizuoka area although the ni is dropped, leading to statements such as baka ii (which can be loosely interpreted as ridiculously good.) Baka ni naru can also mean "overdo" or "overwork".

Depending on the tone of voice used, the word baka can range in severity from meaning "silly" to meaning something like "idiot". The latter of the two "insults" is not usually acquired unless the suffix yarō is added to the end of the word. There are a few other suffixes that can directly modify the exact meaning of the word baka.

Baka is written with the Chinese characters 馬鹿, which literally mean "horse-deer" (and are used to refer to Red Deer in China). The word may come from a story mentioned in Records of the Grand Historian, a 1st century BC historical book from China, written by Sima Qian^{[citation needed]}. The story is about how Zhao Gao, who conspired a coup d'etat, tested his servants' loyalty. He referred to his deer offering to Emperor Qin Er Shi as a horse. Some followed suit and called it a horse, while others called it a deer. Zhao Gao had those who disagreed with him executed.

A related idiom is 指鹿為馬 (pronounced zhǐ lù wéi mǎ in Chinese and shika o sashite uma to nasu in Japanese, meaning "point at a deer and call it a horse"), which comes from the same story. It means to push one's agendas using either one's authority despite having contradictions or to ridicule others. Another Japanese idiom is demo baka wa shinanakya naoranai (馬鹿は死ななきゃ直らない, "However, only death can cure a fool").

Another theory states that the word baka was first used by Buddhist monks, and the word originated from a Sanskrit word moha.^{[citation needed]} This theory states that the Chinese characters were merely a transcription.

The alternate kanji 莫迦 baka or 破家 baka can be used instead, with no change in meaning, although these usages are considered obsolete <ref>WWWJDIC. Retrieved on 2006-08-23.</ref>. Katakana may also be used, to emphasize the slang aspect of the word.

1 Differences in Regional Use
2 Examples of Usage
3 References
4 See also

[edit] Differences in Regional Use

Baka can many times be used playfully, like the word "silly" in English. This playful aspect of the word is limited exclusively to the Kanto, or Tokyo area. In contrast, the use of baka in the Kansai, or Osaka region, is usually never considered playful and is actually quite rude. In an opposite manner, the term "Aho" (ah-hoe) アホ is widely used in the Osaka area and many times playfully (it is frequently used in manzai). Aho has the same meaning as baka. Again, in Tokyo this term might be seen as offensive if used person to person.