How to say "unattractive" in Japanese

• 醜いみにくいJLPT N2approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe direct, strong word for something genuinely ugly to look at; here 'unattractive' means plainly bad-looking. Fits a face or appearance that is frankly ugly, and can sound harsh.
  「美うつくしい」とか「醜みにくい」といった言葉ことばは相対的そうたいてきな用語ようごである。↗

  The words 'beautiful' and 'ugly' are relative terms.
• 格好の悪いかっこうのわるい
  i-adjectiveCovers 'unattractive' as bad-looking or unstylish — a poor look, shape, or style rather than facial ugliness. Suits clothes, designs, or appearances that look bad; it is the fuller form of かっこ悪い.
• かっこ悪いかっこわるい
  i-adjectiveA shortened form of 格好の悪い with the same senses: unattractive, ugly, unstylish, uncool. It covers how someone or something looks, and also behavior that comes across as uncool.
• 不器量ぶきりょう
  na-adjective, nounA less common noun for a person's unattractive looks, nearer to plain or homely than to outright ugly; used of people rather than things. Fits describing someone as plain-featured.
  彼女かのじょを公平こうへいに評価ひょうかすれば、彼女かのじょは不器量ぶきりょうではない。↗

  To do her justice, she is not plain.
• いもっぽい
  i-adjectiveColloquial and usually written in kana; it really means uncool or unsophisticated, with unattractive only as a side effect of looking unfashionable. For plain 'unattractive' it is seldom the word you want.

Use 「醜い」 for outright ugliness, 「格好の悪い」 and 「かっこ悪い」 for bad-looking or uncool style, 不器量 for a plain-looking person, and 「いもっぽい」 colloquially for an uncool, unsophisticated look.

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

• 醜いみにくいugly
• 格好の悪いかっこうのわるいunattractive
• かっこ悪いかっこわるいunattractive
• 不器量ぶきりょうugly (of a person)
• いもっぽいuncool
• 風采が上がらないふうさいがあがらないof poor appearance
• まずいugly
• 冴えないさえないunattractive
• ぶさいくugly (of a person)