Japanese word

みすぼらしい

Pronunciation

Romajimisuborashii

Meaning

  • i-adjectiveshabby

Example

彼はみすぼらしい服を着ています。kare wa mi su bo ra shi i fuku o ki te i ma su

He is wearing shabby clothes.

Illustration for みすぼらしい (shabby)

More examples

古い靴は、手入れをしないとみすぼらしく見えます。furu i kutsu wa te i re o shi na i to mi su bo ra shi ku mi e ma su

Old shoes look shabby if they are not cared for.

Core concept

Marks an outward appearance that seems neglected, worn, or undignified.

Common phrases

  • みすぼらしい服mi su bo ra shi i fuku

    shabby clothes

  • みすぼらしい身なりmi su bo ra shi i mi na ri

    shabby appearance

  • みすぼらしい小屋mi su bo ra shi i ko ya

    shabby hut

Similar words

ぼろいboroi: Describes something that looks worn out or in poor condition.
薄汚いusugitanai: Describes an appearance that looks dirty, dull, and unclean.

Definition in Japanese

外観や身なりが粗末で、手入れされていないように見えるさま。gai kan ya mi na ri ga so matsu de te i re sa re te i na i yō ni mi e ru sa ma

Word origin

The native Japanese adjective みすぼらしい (misuborashii) is written 見窄らしい (misuborashii), a form associated with 見 (mi, "appearance") and 窄る (suboru, "to shrink") and its poor-looking result.

Usage tips

  • The Japanese adjective みすぼらしい (misuborashii) may describe a person without judging the person's character, because it refers to outward appearance or condition.

Other meanings

  • unkempti-adjective
  • unsightlyi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • みすぼらしさmisuborashisashabbinessnoun

Word lists with this word