The difference between 愚かな and 愚かしい


As far as I can tell, both mean foolish. Checking a dictionary, 愚かしい is
defined as 愚かである。ばかげている。which does not help very much. Is there truly no real
difference?




The two words are similar in meaning and usage. However, two significant
differences stand out.

  1. 愚{おろ}かしい is much less commonly used than 愚{おろ}かな.

  2. 愚かしい is virtually never used to refer to people, whereas 愚かな certainly can.

