How to say "dumb" in Japanese

• 野暮やぼCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'dumb' in the sense of boorish, uncouth, or unsophisticated — a lack of refinement rather than of intelligence. A common word for describing someone's manner or taste as unpolished.
  ・・・言いいたいことは色々いろいろあるのだが、ここで口くちを挟はさむのは野暮やぼというもの。↗

  There are things I'd like to say but to butt in now would be what they call uncouth.
• 黙々もくもく
  taru-adjective, adverb (with と)Matches 'dumb' meaning silent or mute rather than stupid — it describes keeping silent, not lacking intelligence. Less common, and seldom the word you want for the 'foolish' sense of 'dumb'.
• 頭が悪いあたまがわるい
  expression, i-adjectiveLiterally 'head is bad'; covers 'dumb' meaning slow or weak-headed — a lack of intelligence, not of refinement or of speech. A direct way to say someone is dumb.
  ここだけの話はなしだが、彼かれはだいぶ頭あたまが悪わるいと思おもうよ。↗

  Between ourselves, I think he is rather stupid.
• ちょれー
  prenominal modifierA colloquial term for 'stupid' or 'dumb' — calling someone foolish or slow-witted. It is less common and at home in casual speech.

For 'dumb', first decide the sense: 野暮 for uncouth or unsophisticated, 黙々 for silent or mute, 「頭が悪い」 for slow-witted, and colloquial 「ちょれー」 for casual 'stupid' or 'dumb'.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 野暮やぼboorish
• 黙々もくもくsilent
• 頭が悪いあたまがわるいslow
• ちょれーstupid