ださい
dasai
The Japanese phrase for "not cool" is ださい (dasai).
ださい is used to describe things that are out of fashion, lack aesthetic sense or are socially awkward/lame. It is used to describe someone or something that is unfashionable or lacks style.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of ださい is ださかった. Adding すぎる to the stem results in ださすぎる, meaning 'too uncool'.
How do you pronounce it?
dasai
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture, the term ださかわいい (dasakawaii) describes something that is so uncool or tacky that it actually becomes cute.
- In certain youth subcultures, using 'dasai' to describe something might actually be a way of reclaiming a certain 'ugly-chic' or ironic aesthetic. This subverts the literal meaning of the word.
- The word 'dasai' can be used as a harsh social critique. If a young person calls an adult's opinion 'dasai', it implies the adult is out of touch with the current era.
Examples in context
- あの服、ちょっとださいよ。Ano fuku, chotto dasai yo.That outfit is a bit uncool.
- 言い訳ばかりするのは、ださい。Iiwake bakari suru no wa, dasai.Making nothing but excuses is uncool.
- その髪型は、正直ださいと思う。Sono kamigata wa, shoujiki dasai to omou.Honestly, I think that hairstyle is uncool.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a fashion magazine together.
- 大翔 Hirotoこのデザイン、どう思う？Kono dezain, dou omou?What do you think of this design?
- 結衣 Yuiうーん、ちょっとださいね。Uun, chotto dasai ne.Hmm, it's a bit uncool, isn't it?
- 大翔 Hirotoやっぱり、結衣にはそう見える？Yappari, Yui ni wa sou mieru?As I thought, does it look that way to you, Yui?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、大翔、別のを探そう。Un, Hiroto, betsu no o sagasou.Yeah, Hiroto, let's look for something else.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ださい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
