見苦しい

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Base i-adjective form ending in 『い』. Combines 『見』 (mi, 'see') and 『苦しい』 (kurushii, 'painful') to mean 'painful to look at' or 'unsightly.'

Theme

Two friends, Yumi and User, are shopping for clothes at a department store. Yumi points out a display and comments on the fashion choices.

見苦しい

みぐるしい

unsightly, ugly

Core Language Building BlocksCore Adjectives

Memory Hook

Imagine seeing something so ugly you want to look away — it's 'unsightly.' Think: 'See (見 mi) + gruesome (苦しい kurushii sounds like 'gruesome') → 見苦しい (migurushii, 'unsightly').'

Cultural Note

In Japanese culture, 『見苦しい』 (migurushii, 'unsightly') is often used to describe behavior or appearances that are considered inappropriate or embarrassing in public, such as sloppy dress or rude manners, reflecting societal emphasis on harmony and propriety.

Forms

Base: 見苦しいBase i-adjective form ending in 『い』. Combines 『見』 (mi, 'see') and 『苦しい』 (kurushii, 'painful') to mean 'painful to look at' or 'unsightly.'

Negative: 見苦しくないDrop 『い』 → add 『くない』 (kunai, negative) → 『見苦しくない』 (migurushikunai).

Past: 見苦しかったDrop 『い』 → add 『かった』 (katta, past) → 『見苦しかった』 (migurushikatta).

Adverbial: 見苦しくDrop 『い』 → add 『く』 (ku, adverbial) → 『見苦しく』 (migurushiku).

Comparative: より見苦しいComparative formed with modifier 『より』 (yori, 'more than') + base adjective.

Superlative: 一番見苦しいSuperlative formed with 『一番』 (ichiban, 'number one / Most') + adjective.