派手

What it means

派手 means flashy or ostentatious in appearance or style. It describes bold colors, loud patterns, or extravagant displays that draw strong attention, and the nuance can be positive or negative depending on context.

Main meanings

• Primary sense describes outward exhibition: bold, bright, or dramatic styling that grabs attention.
• Conveys showiness in people, costumes, makeup, or performances, sometimes implying tasteless or excessive display.
• Usage in media and advertising to describe glamorous aesthetics or high-energy branding.
• Dual polarity: can be positive (fashionable, lively) or negative (showy, gaudy) depending on tone and context.

How to use it

Used as a noun or na-adjective; the typical pattern is 派手な + noun, with the noun form 派手さ expressing degree. In casual speech, it describes outfits, parties, or performances; in formal writing, more restrained terms may be chosen. It often carries a subjective judgement about taste or appropriateness depending on who is speaking.