Translation guide
Describes something worn, faded, or in poor condition; also used for behavior that is unfair or mean-spirited. Japanese has distinct words for physical shabbiness versus moral shabbiness.
Describe something that looks old, used, or poorly maintained.
Describes something tattered, worn out, or falling apart. Often used for clothes, books, or objects.
彼はぼろぼろのジャケットを着ていた。
He was wearing a shabby jacket.
Means shabby, shoddy, or seedy in appearance. Can refer to clothes, buildings, or a person's overall look.
その店はみすぼらしい外観だった。
The store had a shabby appearance.
Literally 'old-looking', implies something has aged and shows wear, but not necessarily falling apart.
古びたアパートに住んでいる。
I live in a shabby apartment.
Means worn-out, tired-looking. Often used for clothes or fabric that have lost their shape or color.
くたびれたスーツを着て面接に行った。
He went to the interview in a shabby suit.
Criticize someone's actions as petty, unkind, or dishonorable.
Means mean, sneaky, or despicable. Strongly negative, used for actions that are morally low.
彼の卑劣な行為に怒った。
I was angry at his shabby behavior.
Means shameful, disgraceful, or unbecoming. Can describe behavior that is shabby in the sense of being beneath someone.
そんなみっともない言い訳はやめろ。
Stop making such shabby excuses.
Slang for petty, stingy, or small-minded. Often used for shabby treatment involving money or effort.
Means stingy or miserly. Can imply shabby treatment due to unwillingness to spend.
けちな報酬で働かせる。
They make you work for a shabby wage.
Describe something that is cheaply made or not durable.
Means crude, shoddy, or cheap. Often used for poorly made items or inadequate treatment.
粗末な家具しか買えなかった。
I could only afford shabby furniture.
Colloquial for flimsy, cheaply made. Often used for toys, gadgets, or construction.
このおもちゃはちゃちですぐ壊れた。
This toy is shabby and broke quickly.
ぼろぼろ emphasizes physical damage like tears or fraying, while みすぼらしい focuses on a generally poor or seedy appearance. Use ぼろぼろ for objects falling apart, and みすぼらしい for a shabby overall look.
みすぼらしい can be rude if used to describe a person. It's safer to describe their clothes or appearance instead.
彼はみすぼらしい服を着ている。
He is wearing shabby clothes.
He makes money in a shabby way.