不細工な顔
busaiku na kao
The English phrase "ugly face" is translated into Japanese as 不細工な顔 (busaiku na kao).
This phrase refers to a face that is not physically attractive or is unpleasant to look at.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 不細工 (busaiku) literally means 'unskillful' or 'clumsy', but it is used to mean 'ugly' when describing physical appearance.
Which one should you use?
The term 醜い顔 is a formal version, whereas ブサイク is a widely used word in casual situations. In written text, writing the word as ブサイクな顔 in katakana is a common way to emphasize the word or provide a more casual and sometimes more stinging nuance.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 不細工な顔 is quite blunt and can be considered rude or insulting depending on the context. Use 醜い顔 if you need a formal term, and use ブサイク for casual, informal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 不細工 is a na-adjective, so you must add na before a noun like kao to modify it.
How do you pronounce it?
busaiku na kao
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture, people sometimes use the term ブサカワ (busakawa). This blends ブサイク (ugly) and かわいい (cute) to describe things that are so ugly they become endearing.
- The word 不細工 (busaiku) originally described a poor craftsman or a clumsy piece of handiwork. It shifted from describing a 'badly made object' to describing a 'badly made face'.
- In Japanese pop culture, the katakana spelling ブサイク is often used in manga to visually signal that a character is being particularly harsh or mocking in their tone.
Examples in context
- あの人の顔が醜いですね。That person has an ugly face, don't you think?
- ブサイクって言わないで！Don't call me ugly!
- 皆が顔の見苦しさに驚いた。Everyone was surprised by the unsightliness of his face.
- 彼は不細工な顔をしている。Kare wa buzikou na kao o shite iru.He has an ugly face.
- そんな不細工な顔をしないで。Sonna buzikou na kao o shinaide.Don't make such an ugly face.
- 鏡に映る不細工な顔に驚いた。Kagami ni utsuru buzikou na kao ni odoroita.I was surprised by the ugly face reflected in the mirror.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about a character in a movie.
- 美咲 Misakiあの悪役は、本当に不細工な顔をしているね。Ano akuyaku wa, hontou ni buzikou na kao o shite iru ne.That villain really has an ugly face, doesn't he?
- 健太 Kentaそうだね、すごく怖かったよ。Sou da ne, sugoku kowakatta yo.You're right, he was very scary.
- 美咲 Misaki健太君は、怖がっているの？Kenta-kun wa, kowagatte iru no?Are you scared, Kenta?
- 健太 Kentaいや、ただ印象が強かっただけだよ。Iya, tada inshou ga tsuyokatta dake da yo.No, it just left a strong impression.
