28778
I came across 柄にもない once while reading and since the immediate look-up didn't
feel like a full explanation of the phrase, I've been motivated to try and
understand it connotations better.

In a quick
[jisho.org](http://jisho.org/search/%E6%9F%84%E3%81%AB%E3%82%82%E7%84%A1%E3%81%84%20%E3%81%8C%E3%82%89%E3%81%AB%E3%82%82%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84)
look up, 柄にもない means unlike oneself, uncharacteristic.
[Thesaurus](http://thesaurus.weblio.jp/content/%E6%9F%84%E3%81%AB%E3%82%82%E3%81%AA%E3%81%8F)
lists it as 'words/actions which are not suitable for one's natural
personality or impression', with alternatives such as 'not the type to do
that' 'not that kind of character' etc. which seemed straightforward enough
for me at first glance.

However, two things about that definition made me pause. First, the usage of
ふさわしくない. 'Unsuitable, inappropriate' is used rather than 'dissimilar,
contrastive'. This speaks to personal opinion having a play here rather than
pure logical contrast. Second, the word 'impression' included along with
personality, which, again, speaks to personal opinion rather than reality.

This made me start to think that 柄にもない wasn't so much 'against one's true
self' as it was 'against the _expectations_ of one's self'.

This opinion further strengthened when [I looked it up on
goo](http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/leaf/jn2/45495/m0u/%E6%9F%84%E3%81%AB%E3%82%82%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84/),
where it's worded as 'something which isn't suitable for one's position,
status or abilities, personality.' The part about not suiting one's status is
a new usage, but again, it speaks more to _expectations_ rather than intimate
knowledge of a person.

While it may be a simple nuance, I think it really makes a difference in how
one understands the term, especially while reading.

For example,

> 柄にもないことを言うな

'Don't speak out of turn.' is the given translation on jisho and the
impression of the wording, but that given translation doesn't fit into the
literal meaning of 'don't say something unlike you'. It only works if you take
'柄にもない' to have added connotations of expectations upon you. In this case, it
isn't 'unlike you' but 'unsuitable for you [with your position etc.]'

and

> 柄にもなく殊勝なことを言う

There's no given translation for this on goo. I'd translate it as 'To say
something uncharacteristically admirable', and I think it would be correct.
But again, even this doesn't work if you read it with a nuance of being
_truly_ unlike yourself. If it's truly unlike you, then those admirable words
are by default insincere, and likely lies. _But,_ if it's just unlike what
people **expect** of you, then the words are still sincere, if surprising and
_unexpected_.

I think it's that word, the 'unexpected' nuance that 柄にもない speaks to the most.

For comparison, using らしくない for 'unlike you' is a wording that feels more
intimate and _accurate_ , as I feel like it implies the speaker really
**knows** person. 'This isn't like you', 'it doesn't feel like a you-ish thing
to do', 'it isn't something that seems like you'. The impression there is that
the speaker has a deep and accurate knowledge of the person's character, and
knows when something does not fit.

柄にもない, on the other hand, feels more like a general impression of going
against a stereotype. It speaks more to _expectations_ than knowledge. 'Not
the type to do that', 'it's not their character', 'it doesn't suit your
personality'. Like how you expect a Sergeant to speak according to their rank,
you expect a dishevelled person to be irresponsible, you expect a studious
person to be punctual, etc. The speaker is _surprised_ the person is going
against what they _expect_ from them, rather than actually feeling like this
goes against intimate knowledge of their character.

So yeah, that's my current impression, that the the meaning of 柄にもない doesn't
seem to read as 'acting unlike oneself' so much as 'acting unlike the
expectations of one's self'. But of course I could be wrong, which is why I'm
turning to those more experienced and knowledgeable. I'd really appreciate
other opinions from those who can confirm/joss the connotations, nuances, and
usages for this word.
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2015-10-19T10:38:15.983
28774
2015-10-20T20:16:04.397
2015-10-20T20:16:04.397
question
meaning usage nuances expressions definitions
柄にもない and its connotations
柄 is an old word; Murasaki Shikibu wrote '人のためしにしつべき人柄なり' 1000 years ago.
Today 柄 is used in phrases like お日柄、 人柄、銘柄、柄が悪い、お国柄、お家柄、大柄、小柄.

The concept has not changed from the old days. 柄 itself is rather about social
stereotype than personal impression.

When it comes to 柄にもない, the connotation varies depending on whose 柄 is
mentioned.

If it was my 柄, it is a humble way of contradicting other's suggestion,
"～だなんて柄でもないですよ。" or an excuse not to do so. "～をするのは柄じゃないんで。"

Or if it was your 柄, it sounds slightly scornful/despising. "you are not
supposed to do that. I'm astounded/disappointed."

Or if it was his/her 柄 it can be badmouthing. "あんな柄にも無いことやるから～"

Googling 柄にも無い/柄でもない you mainly get results in which people refer to
themselves, so it has became a _herikudari_ expression much like 愚息/拙宅/弊社.
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2015-10-19T15:39:20.097
28778
2015-10-20T01:12:09.313
2015-10-20T01:12:09.313
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answer