Revision 79598650 of "Baka (insult)" on enwiki

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In [[Japanese language|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 more commonly used in [[Tokyo]] and other parts of eastern [[Japan]] while in [[Osaka]] and elsewhere in western Japan, ''aho'' is the usual preferred equivalent.

When used as an [[Japanese adjectives|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". ''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 [[Kanji|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]]{{fact}}. The story is about how [[Zhao Gao]], who conspired a ''[[coup d'etat]]'', tested his [[servant (domestic)|servant]]s' 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 language|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 [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] [[monk]]s, and the word originated from a [[Sanskrit]] word ''moha''.{{citation needed}} This theory states that the Chinese characters were merely a [[Transcription (linguistics)|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>{{cite web|title=WWWJDIC|url=http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/cgi-bin/wwwjdic.cgi?1E|accessdate=2006-08-23}}</ref>. [[Katakana]] may also be used, to emphasize the [[slang]] aspect of the word.

==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.

==Examples of Usage ==
* 馬鹿！ ''Baka!'' — You're an idiot!
* ピカチュウは馬鹿じゃないよ！ ''Pikachū wa baka ja nai yo!'' — [[Pikachu]] is no idiot!
* 私は馬鹿だ！''Watashi wa baka da!'' — I'm an idiot!
* うん、あなたは馬鹿な猿だ！ ''Un, anata wa baka na saru da!'' — Yeah, you're a stupid monkey!
* ばかろ！馬鹿者！''Bakaro! Baka mono!'' — various other insults

==References==
<references />

==See also==

*[[Bakauke]], a Japanese snack.
*Yokosuka MXY-7 [[Ohka]], a WWII Japanese [[Kamikaze]] aircraft given the codename ''Baka'' by the United States
{{Wiktionarypar|baka}}
[[Category:Japanese terms]]
[[Category:Profanity]]

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