Overview
The Japanese word '醜い' (minikui) is an adjective that primarily translates to 'ugly' or 'unpleasant to look at.' However, its nuances extend beyond mere physical appearance, encompassing a broader sense of undesirability, moral repulsiveness, or even poor quality.
**Etymology and Basic Meaning:**
The kanji '醜' (shū) itself carries meanings of 'ugly,' 'shameful,' or 'disgraceful.' When combined with the adjectival suffix 'い' (-i), '醜い' forms a descriptor that conveys an inherent lack of beauty or appeal. At its most fundamental, it describes something that is visually unpleasing, causing a negative aesthetic reaction.
**Beyond Physical Appearance:**
While 'ugly' is the most common translation, '醜い' is frequently used in contexts where 'unpleasant,' 'nasty,' 'shameful,' or 'disgraceful' would be more appropriate in English. Here are some examples:
- Moral or Ethical Ugliness: It can describe actions, behaviors, or characters that are morally repugnant or ethically wrong. For instance, '醜い争い' (minikui arasoi) refers to an 'ugly dispute' or 'nasty conflict,' implying that the quarrel is petty, vindictive, or morally objectionable. '醜い心' (minikui kokoro) would mean an 'ugly heart' or 'wicked mind,' referring to someone with bad intentions or a malevolent disposition.
- Social or Situational Ugliness: The word can also characterize situations or events that are socially awkward, embarrassing, or otherwise undesirable. A '醜い場面' (minikui bamen) could describe an 'ugly scene' or an 'unpleasant situation,' such as a public argument or a scandalous event. It conveys a sense of impropriety or something that brings shame.
- Figurative Ugliness: '醜い' can be used metaphorically to describe things that are poorly executed, badly designed, or lacking in elegance or grace. For example, a poorly written sentence might be described as '醜い文章' (minikui bunshō), implying that it is clunky, unreadable, or aesthetically displeasing in its construction, even if not literally 'ugly' in appearance.
**Nuances and Usage:**
- Emotional Impact: The word carries a strong negative emotional connotation. It evokes feelings of distaste, discomfort, disgust, or even moral indignation.
- Subjectivity: Like 'ugly' in English, '醜い' can be subjective. What one person finds ugly, another might not. However, in moral or social contexts, there's often a more general consensus on what constitutes '醜い' behavior.
- Comparison with '不細工' (busaiku): While both can mean 'ugly,' '不細工' often refers specifically to physical appearance, especially of people or handmade objects, and can sometimes be used in a slightly more jocular or less severe way, though it can still be offensive. '醜い' has a broader and often more serious connotation, extending into the moral and abstract realms.
In summary, '醜い' is a versatile and potent adjective in Japanese that goes far beyond simply describing a lack of physical beauty. It serves as a powerful descriptor for anything deemed undesirable, repulsive, shameful, or morally objectionable, making it a word with significant emotional and social weight.
مثالها
彼女は醜いアヒルの子と呼ばれていました。
AppearanceShe was called an ugly duckling.
その醜い事件は、多くの人々に衝撃を与えました。
Situation/EventThe ugly incident shocked many people.
彼の醜い性格が露呈した。
Personality/CharacterHis unpleasant personality was revealed.
醜い争いが繰り広げられた。
ConflictA nasty dispute unfolded.
その建物は、街の景観を醜くしている。
Scenery/ViewThat building makes the city's landscape ugly.
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نحوه استفاده
نکات کاربردی
When using '醜い,' it's important to consider the context to convey the intended meaning accurately. While it can certainly describe physical unattractiveness, as in '醜い顔' (minikui kao - ugly face) or '醜い建物' (minikui tatemono - ugly building), its application is broader. It's often used metaphorically to describe something that is morally or ethically distasteful. For example, '醜い心' (minikui kokoro - ugly heart) refers to a malicious or mean spirit, and '醜い行為' (minikui koui - ugly act) denotes a disgraceful or shameful action. It can also describe situations or events that are unpleasant or unsightly, such as '醜い真実' (minikui shinjitsu - ugly truth). While '醜い' is a strong word, it's generally used when the speaker genuinely feels something is truly ugly or repulsive, whether physically or morally. It's less common to use it in casual, lighthearted contexts compared to milder terms like 'not beautiful' or 'plain.'
اشتباهات رایج
One common mistake is confusing 'minikui' (醜い) with 'kitanai' (汚い), which means 'dirty' or 'filthy'. While something dirty might also be unpleasant to look at, 'minikui' specifically refers to aesthetic ugliness or being unsightly, rather than a lack of cleanliness. Another mistake can be mispronouncing the 'i' at the end as a long vowel sound, when it should be a short 'i'. Also, people might sometimes use it in contexts where 'warui' (悪い - bad) or 'fuyukai' (不愉快 - unpleasant/disagreeable) might be more appropriate, as 'minikui' strongly implies a visual unpleasantness.
نکات
Use with caution!
While '醜い' (minikui) directly translates to 'ugly' or 'unpleasant to look at,' it can be quite a strong and even offensive word in Japanese. It's often used for things that are truly unsightly or morally reprehensible, rather than just something you don't find aesthetically pleasing.
Alternative expressions for 'unattractive'
If you want to say something is 'unattractive' or 'not pretty' in a milder way, consider using expressions like 'かわいくない' (kawaikunai - not cute) for people or things, or '格好悪い' (kakko warui - uncool, unattractive) for appearances, especially for men or objects. You could also describe specific features rather than using a blanket term.
Context is key
The nuance of '醜い' can change based on context. For example, '醜い争い' (minikui arasoi) means 'ugly dispute' or 'unseemly quarrel,' referring to the unpleasant nature of the conflict rather than its visual appearance. In this sense, it means morally objectionable or disgraceful.
ریشه کلمه
The word '醜い' (minikui) in Japanese is an adjective that describes something as ugly, unsightly, or unpleasant to look at. Its origin can be traced back to classical Japanese. The 'mī' (醜) part of the word is derived from 'mi' (見), meaning 'to see' or 'appearance,' and 'niku' (憎), meaning 'hate' or 'disgust.' So, 'miniku' essentially conveys the idea of something that is displeasing to see or evokes a sense of disgust due to its appearance. Over time, the word evolved into its current form, 'minikui,' which is commonly used to describe physical ugliness or something that is aesthetically unpleasing. It can also be used metaphorically to describe actions or situations that are morally reprehensible or unpleasant in a broader sense. In classical Japanese literature, 'minikui' was often used to describe things that were considered unattractive or grotesque, reflecting the aesthetic sensibilities of the time. The concept of beauty and ugliness has always been a significant theme in Japanese culture, and 'minikui' plays a role in defining what is considered unappealing. Furthermore, the word 'minikui' is often contrasted with 'utsukushii' (美しい), meaning 'beautiful,' to highlight the duality of aesthetics. This contrast is evident in various forms of Japanese art, literature, and everyday language. In contemporary Japanese, 'minikui' continues to be a widely used adjective to describe anything that is visually unappealing or distasteful. Its usage extends beyond physical appearance to encompass abstract concepts, such as 'minikui kokoro' (醜い心), meaning 'ugly heart' or 'wicked mind,' to describe moral ugliness. Therefore, the etymology of 'minikui' reflects a long history of linguistic evolution and cultural perceptions of beauty and ugliness in Japan, making it a rich and multifaceted word with deep roots in the Japanese language.
بافت فرهنگی
The Japanese word '醜い' (minikui) directly translates to 'ugly' or 'unpleasant to look at,' but its cultural implications extend beyond mere aesthetics. In Japanese culture, beauty is often associated with harmony, purity, and naturalness. Therefore, '醜い' can also imply a lack of these qualities, suggesting something that is discordant, impure, or artificial. It can be used to describe physical appearances, but also extends to actions, behaviors, or even internal states that are considered morally or ethically reprehensible. For instance, '醜い争い' (minikui arasoi) means an 'ugly dispute,' referring to a squabble that is petty, disgraceful, or lacking in dignity. There's a nuanced sense that something '醜い' might disrupt social order or expectations, making it more than just visually unappealing.
راهنمای حفظ
Visualize something truly ugly or unpleasant, like a monster, and associate its ugliness with the sound of 'minikui'. You could imagine a tiny, 'mini' monster that is 'kui' (as in 'chewy' or 'sticky') and extremely ugly.
سوالات متداول
4 سوالThe Japanese word '醜い' (minikui) primarily translates to 'ugly' or 'unpleasant to look at.' It describes something or someone that lacks beauty or aesthetic appeal. Beyond physical appearance, it can also be used metaphorically to describe something morally repugnant, distasteful, or shameful, such as '醜い争い' (minikui arasoi), meaning an 'ugly dispute' or 'unpleasant quarrel.' The nuance often depends on the context in which it's used, but the core meaning revolves around a lack of attractiveness or desirability, either visually or in character.
Yes, absolutely. While '醜い' (minikui) often refers to physical ugliness, its usage extends beyond the visual. It can be applied to actions, situations, or even emotions that are considered morally reprehensible, unethical, or generally unpleasant. For instance, one might describe an 'ugly truth' (醜い真実 - minikui shinjitsu) or an 'ugly betrayal' (醜い裏切り - minikui uragiri). In these contexts, it conveys a sense of something being contemptible, shameful, or morally corrupt rather than physically unattractive.
Yes, there are several common phrases and idioms that incorporate '醜い' (minikui). A prominent example is '醜い争い' (minikui arasoi), which means an 'ugly dispute' or 'unpleasant quarrel,' emphasizing the unpleasant and often undignified nature of the conflict. Another is '醜いアヒルの子' (minikui ahiru no ko), which literally means 'ugly duckling' and refers to someone who is initially perceived as unattractive but later develops into something beautiful or impressive, much like the classic fairy tale. These phrases highlight the versatility of the word in describing various negative aspects beyond just physical appearance.
The word '醜い' (minikui) is composed of a single kanji character: 醜. This kanji itself carries the meaning of 'ugly,' 'shameful,' or 'disgraceful.' Breaking down the kanji visually, it consists of several radicals. The left radical, 酉 (yuu), typically relates to alcohol, fermentation, or sometimes birds (especially poultry). The right radical, 鬼 (oni), means 'demon' or 'ghost.' While the direct etymological connection can be complex and sometimes debated, the combination evokes a sense of something undesirable, unpleasant, or even demonic in appearance or nature, thus reinforcing the core meaning of ugliness or repulsiveness.
خودت رو بسنج
その建物はとても_____です。 (That building is very ugly.)
彼の行動は_____としか言いようがない。 (His behavior can only be described as ugly/despicable.)
_____争いは避けるべきだ。 (Ugly/unpleasant disputes should be avoided.)
امتیاز: /3
Use with caution!
While '醜い' (minikui) directly translates to 'ugly' or 'unpleasant to look at,' it can be quite a strong and even offensive word in Japanese. It's often used for things that are truly unsightly or morally reprehensible, rather than just something you don't find aesthetically pleasing.
Alternative expressions for 'unattractive'
If you want to say something is 'unattractive' or 'not pretty' in a milder way, consider using expressions like 'かわいくない' (kawaikunai - not cute) for people or things, or '格好悪い' (kakko warui - uncool, unattractive) for appearances, especially for men or objects. You could also describe specific features rather than using a blanket term.
Context is key
The nuance of '醜い' can change based on context. For example, '醜い争い' (minikui arasoi) means 'ugly dispute' or 'unseemly quarrel,' referring to the unpleasant nature of the conflict rather than its visual appearance. In this sense, it means morally objectionable or disgraceful.
مثالها
5 از 5彼女は醜いアヒルの子と呼ばれていました。
She was called an ugly duckling.
その醜い事件は、多くの人々に衝撃を与えました。
The ugly incident shocked many people.
彼の醜い性格が露呈した。
His unpleasant personality was revealed.
醜い争いが繰り広げられた。
A nasty dispute unfolded.
その建物は、街の景観を醜くしている。
That building makes the city's landscape ugly.
محتوای مرتبط
این کلمه در زبانهای دیگر
قواعد دستوری مرتبط
واژههای بیشتر nature
~上
B1Above; on top of; up.
〜の上
A2On top of, above, upon.
豊か
B1Abundant; rich; plentiful (na-adjective).
〜に従って
B1According to, in conformity with, as (something happens).
酸性雨
B1Acid rain.
営み
B1Activity; daily life; undertaking (e.g., life's activities).
順応する
B1To adapt; to adjust; to conform.
~を背景に
B1Against the backdrop of; with...as background.
空気
A2air
大気汚染
B1Air pollution; the presence of harmful substances in the air.