Word
Kana: みぐるしい Romaji: migurushii Level: N1

見苦しい

Meaning in English

unsightly, ugly

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Word context

What it means

What does 見苦しい mean? It means unattractive to look at or to observe, a quality or behavior that makes a scene or person unpleasant to the eye; used to express strong disapproval of appearance or conduct.

Main meanings

  • Visually unattractive; not pleasing to the eye.
  • Discreditable or improper behavior; something that causes embarrassment or a poor impression.
  • Strong negative judgment about taste or propriety; emphasizes discomfort or revulsion.

How to use it

Used in casual and formal contexts to condemn appearance or conduct; can describe people, objects, or situations; in conversation it often carries a judgmental tone; in writing it's common in critiques or opinion pieces.

Variants and close terms

  • 醜い (minikui) — ugly
  • みっともない (mottomonai) — unbecoming
  • 不細工 (busaiku) — unattractive
  • 上品だ (jōhin da) — refined, tasteful (antonym)

Composition

  • 見 — see, look
  • 苦しい — painful, difficult; conveys discomfort when seen

Word class

adjective (い-adjective)

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