How to say "superficial" in Japanese

• 浅いあさいJLPT N4approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers literal shallowness, as of water, and by extension superficial knowledge, understanding, or thought; it states simply that something does not go deep, without the force of outright criticism.
  この川かわはあそこで浅あさくなっている。↗

  This river becomes shallow at that point.
• 上滑りうわすべりCommon
  no-adjective, na-adjective, suru verb, intransitive verbEvokes something gliding over a surface without sinking in; it suits a discussion, conversation, or understanding that stays on the surface and never gets to the bottom of things.
• 浅はかあさはかCommon
  na-adjectiveA sharply critical word: it condemns thinking or behavior as not merely shallow but thoughtless and short-sighted, fitting judgments, plans, or actions the speaker views with scorn or regret.
  私はあさはかにも彼かれが私を助たすけてくれるんだなあと思おもった。↗

  I foolishly imagined that he was going to help me.
• 軽薄けいはくCommon
  na-adjective, nounWhen superficial describes a person rather than their intellect, this is the word: it characterizes speech and manner as frivolous and flippant, lacking seriousness or weight.
  「見た目みためは悪わるくないがちょっと軽薄けいはくそう」な外見がいけんとは裏腹うらはらに、彼女かのじょはいないし、女性じょせいに手てが早はやいワケでもない。↗

  In contrast to his "not bad looks but seems a bit of a dandy" appearance, he didn't have a girlfriend and he wasn't particularly fast with the ladies.
• 薄手うすでCommon
  na-adjective, nounDescribes knowledge, criticism, and similar content as thin, shallow, and lacking substance; the choice when superficial qualifies a critique or a body of knowledge rather than a person.

Use 「浅い」 for shallow knowledge or understanding, 「上滑り」 for talk that stays on the surface, 「浅はか」 for thoughtless, short-sighted judgment, 軽薄 for a frivolous manner, and 薄手 for thin knowledge or critique.

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

• 浅いあさいshallow
• 上滑りうわすべりsuperficial
• 浅はかあさはかshallow
• 軽薄けいはくfrivolous
• 生半可なまはんかsuperficial
• 表在ひょうざいsuperficial
• 表層性ひょうそうせいsuperficial
• 表面的ひょうめんてきsuperficial
• 生飲み込みなまのみこみsuperficial
• かいなでsuperficial (knowledge, learning, etc.)
• 皮相的ひそうてきsuperficial
• 表層的ひょうそうてきsuperficial
• 浅薄せんぱくshallow
• 外面的がいめんてきexternal
• 外見上がいけんじょうoutward
• 付け焼刃つけやきばaffectation
• 通り一遍とおりいっぺんperfunctory
• 薄手うすでsuperficial (knowledge, critique, etc.)
• 安価あんかshallow (e.g. sympathy)
• 皮相ひそうsuperficial
• 平面的へいめんてきsuperficial
• 対症的たいしょうてきsuperficial
• ちゃらちゃらcoquettish
• にわか仕込みにわかじこみmakeshift