Japanese word

みっともない

Pronunciation

Romajimittomonai

Meaning

  • i-adjectiveembarrassing

Example

人前で泣くのはみっともないです。hito mae de na ku no wa mi tto mo na i de su

Crying in public is embarrassing.

Illustration for みっともない (embarrassing)

More examples

大声で文句を言うのはみっともないです。ō goe de mon ku o i u no wa mi tto mo na i de su

Complaining loudly is embarrassing.

Core concept

Describes behavior or an appearance that makes a person look undignified in the eyes of others.

Common phrases

  • みっともない格好mi tto mo na i kak kō

    an embarrassing outfit

  • みっともない振る舞いmi tto mo na i fu ru ma i

    embarrassing behavior

Similar words

恥ずかしいhazukashii: Describes something that makes a person feel shame or embarrassment.
見苦しいmigurushii: Describes conduct or an appearance that looks unpleasant and undignified.
格好悪いkakkōwarui: Describes a person or behavior that looks awkward or unattractive.

Definition in Japanese

人前での行動や姿が、体裁を失っていて恥ずかしいさま。hito mae de no kō dō ya sugata ga tei sai o ushina tte i te ha zu ka shi i sa ma

Word origin

みっともない (mittomonai) is traditionally explained as a sound-changed form of 見たくもない (mitakumonai, "not wanting to see"), referring to conduct or an appearance that people do not want to see.

Usage tips

  • It often judges how an act looks to other people, so it can describe conduct as lacking dignity rather than merely report a speaker's feeling of embarrassment.

Other meanings

  • disgracefuli-adjective
  • unbecomingi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • みっともなさmittomonasaembarrassmentnoun

Word lists with this word