How to say "shabby" in Japanese

• みすぼらしいJLPT N1approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers the sense of shabby as in worn-looking and unkempt: clothes, housing, or a person's appearance that looks unsightly and down at the heels. The nuance is visual shabbiness that draws pity or distaste.
  どうやら、そのみすぼらしいアパートは空き家あきやのようだ。↗

  Apparently that shabby flat is vacant.
• 粗末そまつJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounMatches shabby in the sense of crude, rough, or humble construction and quality: a roughly made or plain object, or a humble, undemanding meal or dwelling. It emphasizes poor quality rather than a shabby look.
  道具どうぐを粗末そまつに使つかうな。↗

  Don't handle these tools roughly.
• 貧弱ひんじゃくJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounMeans poor, meager, or feeble, so it suits shabby only when describing something insubstantial, such as a thin physique, meager content, or feeble resources. It is really about weakness or scantiness, not shabby appearance.
  私のドイツ語どいつごの知識ちしきは貧弱ひんじゃくです。↗

  My knowledge of German is poor.

Use 「みすぼらしい」 for a shabby, unkempt appearance that looks unsightly, 粗末 for things that are crude or poorly made, and 貧弱 for content, physique, or resources that are poor or meager.

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

• みすぼらしいshabby
• 粗末そまつcrude
• 貧弱ひんじゃくpoor
• しょぼいshabby
• 貧乏くさいびんぼうくさいshabby
• よれよれworn-out
• おんぼろworn-out
• ちんけcrummy
• シャビーshabbiness
• むさ苦しいむさくるしいmessy
• ぼろいworn-out
• わびしいmiserable
• ぼろっちいworn-out
• ゲスいsleazy
• 卑しいいやしいshabby
• けちshabby
• ケチくさいshabby
• ぼろworn-out