みすぼらしい

み

す

ぼ

ら

し

い

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

i-adjective

usually written using kana alone

Describes a person's appearance, clothing, or a place that looks poor, worn-out, or neglected.

そのアパートは外がい観かんがみすぼらしかった。

The apartment building looked shabby from the outside.

みすぼらしいUsage87%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 見すぼらしい and 見窄らしい are rare.
見みすぼらしいUsage11%
Rare kanji spelling; the kana form is strongly preferred.
見み窄すぼらしいUsage2%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; the kana form is strongly preferred.

ぼろい
More casual and often implies something is falling apart or of very low quality, while みすぼらしい focuses on a poor, neglected appearance.
だらしない
Means slovenly or untidy in behavior or dress, emphasizing lack of discipline; みすぼらしい emphasizes the resulting shabby look.

The origin is uncertain. It may be related to the verb 見窄る (みすぼる), meaning 'to look shabby', but this is not firmly established.