Japanese word

あくどい

Pronunciation

Romajiakudoi

Meaning

  • i-adjectivegaudy

Example

その看板はあくどく見えます。so no kan ban wa a ku do ku mi e ma su

That sign looks gaudy.

Illustration for あくどい (gaudy)

More examples

彼はあくどい色のシャツを選びました。kare wa a ku do i iro no sha tsu o era bi ma shi ta

He chose a shirt in a gaudy color.

Core concept

Refers to an appearance that uses strong colors or elaborate decoration to a noticeably excessive degree.

Common phrases

  • あくどい色a ku do i iro

    a gaudy color

  • あくどい色使いa ku do i iro zuka i

    gaudy use of color

Similar words

けばけばしいkebakebashii: Being excessively flashy because of bright colors or elaborate decoration.
どぎついdogitsui: Being strikingly vivid in a way that makes colors or designs seem harsh.
ごてごてしいgotegoteshii: Being covered with excessive decoration or crowded with elaborate details.

Definition in Japanese

派手でけばけばしく、品がないと感じられるさま。ha de de ke ba ke ba shi ku shina ga na i to kan ji ra re ru sa ma

Word origin

The Japanese adjective あくどい (akudoi, "gaudy") is found in the older form あくどし (akudoshi, "gaudy"), while the word's deeper origin remains uncertain.

Usage tips

  • In English, gaudy also has a historical noun sense for a festive college feast at Oxford or Cambridge, separate from its usual adjective sense.

Opposites

Related words

  • あくどさakudosagaudinessnoun

Word lists with this word