Entry
しれっと
shiretto
Acting completely calm or as if nothing happened, usually after making a mistake or doing something cheeky.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes a state of acting completely calm and nonchalant without any sense of guilt, even after making a mistake or doing something impolite. It is often used when someone feigns ignorance or puts on an innocent face, pretending that there is no problem at all.
- Feigning ignorance
- Acting casually
Sense Map
Feigning ignorance
Putting on an innocent face after doing something wrong.
しれっととぼける
Acting boldly or casually
Doing something without permission or guilt.
しれっと列に割り込む
Usage Note
How to Use
しれっと + verb
Used to describe an action performed with a straight face or without showing any guilt.
しれっとしている
Describes the state of someone looking completely innocent or nonchalant despite what happened.
How to Use
Common Phrases
しれっと嘘をつく
lie with a straight face
しれっとした顔
an innocent look
しれっと言う
say nonchalantly
しれっと帰る
leave nonchalantly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| After making a mistake | Negative / Humorous | Used when someone messes up but pretends nothing happened to avoid blame. |
| Doing something cheeky | Negative / Humorous | Used when someone does something mildly inappropriate but acts completely innocent. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
けろっと けろっと / similar | When someone is completely unaffected by an event that should upset them. | けろっと focuses on being genuinely unaffected or having recovered completely, while しれっと implies deliberately feigning ignorance or hiding a mistake. | 怒られたのにけろっとしている。 |
のこのこ のこのこ / similar | When someone shamelessly shows up somewhere they shouldn't. | のこのこ focuses on the shameless act of appearing or coming somewhere, while しれっと is a broader attitude of acting innocent. | 会議にのこのこ現れる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe relaxing comfortably at home.
Use のんびり or リラックスして instead. しれっと implies hiding guilt or acting cheeky.
Using it to praise someone's calmness under pressure.
しれっと has a cheeky or shameless nuance. To praise calmness, use 冷静に or 落ち着いて.
Examples
Examples
彼は遅刻したのに、しれっと自分の席に座った。
かれはちこくしたのに、しれっとじぶんのせきにすわった。
Even though he was late, he nonchalantly sat in his seat as if nothing happened.
FigurativeUsed to highlight how someone avoids apologizing by acting completely normal.
妹は私のプリンを食べて、しれっとしている。
いもうとはわたしのぷりんをたべて、しれっとしている。
My little sister ate my pudding and is acting completely innocent.
FigurativeUsing 'shite iru' describes the continuing state of acting innocent.
彼女はミスをしたのに、しれっと嘘をついた。
かのじょはみすをしたのに、しれっとうそをついた。
Even though she made a mistake, she smoothly lied with a straight face.
FigurativeFocuses on the act of smoothly covering up a fault.
だれも気づかないうちに、彼はしれっと帰っていた。
だれもきづかないうちに、かれはしれっとかえっていた。
Before anyone noticed, he had calmly left without saying anything.
FigurativeShows someone doing something stealthy but acting as if it's normal.
彼はしれっとした顔で冗談を言った。
かれはしれっとしたかおでじょうだんをいった。
He told a joke with a completely straight face.
VisualDescribes a literal facial expression showing no emotion or guilt.
Similar Words
けろっと
kerotto
けろっと describes a sudden, complete shift to a normal state, such as recovering fully from illness, forgetting entirely, or acting nonchalantly. Focuses on being genuinely unaffected, not pretending.
のこのこ
nokonoko
Nokonoko describes someone showing up or acting in a shameless, unconcerned manner when they should feel embarrassed or hesitant. Focuses on shamelessly showing up to a place.
のほほん
nohohon
Describes being relaxed, carefree, and unconcerned about one's surroundings or problems.
Questions
Can I use しれっと as a compliment?
No, it generally carries a slight negative or humorous nuance of someone being cheeky, shameless, or unapologetic.
Is しれっと a formal word?
No, it is mostly used in casual spoken Japanese. In formal writing, terms like 平然と are preferred.
How is しれっと different from 堂々と?
堂々と means boldly or proudly in an open and confident way. しれっと means acting calm specifically to pretend nothing is wrong or avoid drawing attention to a fault.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2226380
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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