Learn the difference between “ちゃら” and “ちゃらい”

Table of Contents

1. What does “ちゃら” mean?
2. ちゃら／チャラ
3. ちゃらい／チャラい
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment

Q: What does “ちゃらになる” mean? Is “ちゃらくなる” incorrect?

A: Actually, “ちゃら” and “ちゃらい” are different words with different meanings and usages.
“ちゃらになる” means to cancel or wipe something out, while “ちゃらくなる” means to become flashy or superficial.
Be careful not to confuse the two.

ちゃら／チャラ

[Meaning]
① To cancel a debt or balance things out
② To treat something as if it never happened

[Examples]
これで貸し借か　かりはちゃらですね。（①）
That makes us even now.

約束やくそくしたことを忘わすれていたことをチャラにするために、彼女かのじょにプレゼントを買かいました。（②）
I bought her a present to make up for forgetting the promise.

“ちゃら” is a casual, colloquial expression used to mean “to cancel,” “to wipe something out,” or “to treat it as if it never happened.”
It’s often used in relation to debts, promises, or incidents, and is commonly heard in everyday conversation.

[Examples]
A「お金かね、返かえすね。」
B「いらないよ。いつも助たすけてくれるから、それでチャラにしよう。」
A: “I’ll pay you back.”
B: “Don’t worry about it. You’re always helping me—let’s call it even.”
⇒ This means the debt is canceled in return for the help regularly received.

この前まえの借かりは、今回こんかいのおごりでちゃらにしてよ。
I treated you this time, so let’s call it even for what I owed you last time.

こっちのミスもあったから、お互たがいちゃらにしよう。
Since I also made a mistake, let’s just call it even.

テストで赤点あかてんだったのを、補習ほしゅうでがんばって先生せんせいがちゃらにしてくれました。
I failed the test, but I worked hard in the makeup class, and the teacher decided to let it slide.

ちゃらい／チャラい

[Meaning]
① An appearance that is cheap-looking and flashy
② Behavior or attitude that lacks seriousness

[Examples]
赤あかのシャツを着きて黄色きいろのパンツを履はいて、なんだかチャラそうな人ひとだね。（①）
Wearing a red shirt and yellow pants… he kind of looks flashy and shallow, doesn’t he?

友達ともだちの新あたらしい彼氏かれし、チャラい感かんじがして心配しんぱいだよ。（②）
My friend’s new boyfriend gives off a playboy vibe — I’m a bit worried.

“ちゃらい” is a slang term used to describe a person’s appearance, behavior, or way of speaking.
It generally gives the impression of someone who is “sloppy and lacks seriousness” or “flashy and superficial.”
It is classified as an い adjective in Japanese grammar.

[Examples]
あの人ひと、見みた目めはかっこいいけど、ちょっとちゃらいよね。(appearance)
He looks cool, but his appearance is kind of flashy and shallow, don’t you think?
⇒ It means he looks like someone who’s not trustworthy or seems like a player.

A「鈴木すずき君くんってすごくチャラそうだよね。」(appearance)
B「そう見みえるけど、性格せいかくは全然ぜんぜんチャラくないよ。」(personality)
A: “Suzuki-kun totally looks like a flashy type, doesn’t he?”
B: “He may look that way, but his personality isn’t like that at all.”

Let’s Compare

Now, in the following case, which expression is more appropriate?

[Example]
①子供こどもの頃ころは小ちいさくて可愛かわいかった太郎たろう君くんは、高校こうこう生せいになってチャラになりました。
②子供こどもの頃ころは小ちいさくて可愛かわいかった太郎たろう君くんは、高校こうこう生せいになってチャラくなりました。

The correct answer is ②.
This sentence is describing a change in Tarō’s appearance.
It means that Tarō, who once had an innocent look, grew into a teenager with a flashy and shallow appearance — so “ちゃらくなった” is the correct choice.

Now, how about the following case?

[Example]
①いくら謝あやまってもチャラにならないよ。
②いくら謝あやまってもチャラくならないよ。

The correct answer is ①.
This sentence means that “even if you apologize, what happened won’t be erased or forgotten.”
In this context, ちゃら is used in the sense of canceling or wiping something out, so “ちゃらにならない” is the appropriate expression.

Summary

[ちゃら／チャラ]

• “ちゃら” is a colloquial or slang expression meaning “to cancel” or “to wipe something out as if it never happened.”
• It is mainly used in relation to money, promises, or events.

[ちゃらい／チャラい]

• A colloquial or slang expression that conveys the sense of being “irresponsible and lacking seriousness” or “flashy and untrustworthy.”
• Often used to describe a person’s appearance, behavior, or speech, and generally gives a negative impression.
• It is classified as an い adjective.

Similer Articles

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