How to say "idiotic" in Japanese

• 間抜けまぬけCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'idiotic' in its plainest sense: a person, face or manner that is stupid, foolish and inane. The common word for calling someone a dim-witted fool, whether as insult or wry description.
• 間の抜けたまのぬけた
  expression, prenominal modifierThe same idea as a modifier: it describes a person, face or remark as looking idiotic or dim — the look of a bonehead. Less common than 間抜け.
• ばかみたい
  na-adjectiveLiterally 'like a fool', and usually written in kana: it calls an action, remark or situation foolish, idiotic or ridiculous. Use it when behavior strikes you as senseless rather than to call someone an idiot.
• 荒唐こうとう
  na-adjective, nounLess common, and really meaning absurd or nonsensical: it describes stories, ideas or claims as preposterous, and is only marginally 'idiotic'. Seldom the word you want for a person's stupidity — think absurd, not dim-witted.

Choose 「間抜け」 for a dim-witted person or look, 「間の抜けた」 when you need a modifier describing something as idiotic, 「ばかみたい」 for behavior that seems ridiculous or foolish, and 荒唐 only for absurd, nonsensical ideas or stories.

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

• 間抜けまぬけstupid
• 間の抜けたまのぬけたidiotic
• ばかみたいfoolish
• 荒唐こうとうabsurd