杓子定規（しゃくしじょうぎ）
JLPT N1 · noun
Pitch accent: nakadaka (middle-high) — pitch drops after mora 4
Meaning: rigid / by the book
Example sentences
- 杓子定規な対応では解決しない。 — A rigid, by-the-book response won't solve this.
- 規則を杓子定規に当てはめない。 — Don't apply the rules mechanically.
Related words
See it used in real works
- Example sentences from Japanese novels & web fiction (Massif)
- Hear “杓子定規” pronounced in real videos (YouGlish)