粗末(そまつ)

そまつ
na-adjective
crude, rough, poor quality
1. crude, rough, poor quality
Made without care or skill; of low quality.
粗末(そまつ)な作(つく)りの家具(かぐ)だ。
It's poorly made furniture.
粗末(そまつ)な小屋(こや)に住(す)んでいた。
They lived in a crude shack.
粗末(そまつ)な道具(どうぐ)しかなかった。
There were only crude tools available.
2. humble, plain
Simple and modest, often used as self-deprecation.
粗末(そまつ)な食事(しょくじ)ですが、どうぞ。
It's just a humble meal, but please help yourself.
Polite self-deprecation when offering food.
粗末(そまつ)なものですが、お受(う)け取(と)りください。
It's just a humble gift, but please accept it.
Polite self-deprecating expression when giving a gift.
粗末(そまつ)ながら、お茶(ちゃ)を用意(ようい)しました。
It's nothing special, but I've prepared some tea.
3. wasteful treatment, disrespect
Treating something carelessly or without proper respect.
食(た)べ物(もの)を粗末(そまつ)にしてはいけない。
You shouldn't waste food.
Common parental instruction.
物(もの)を粗末(そまつ)にする子供(こども)は叱(しか)られる。
Children who are careless with their things get scolded.
命(いのち)を粗末(そまつ)にしてはいけない。
You must not treat life carelessly.

USAGE:
粗末(そまつ)にする means "to treat carelessly" or "to waste," often used about food.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 粗末(そまつ)な + noun (crude/humble ~)
  • 粗末(そまつ)にする (to treat carelessly, to waste)
  • 粗末(そまつ)ですが (it's humble but...) - polite phrase

CULTURAL NOTE:
食(た)べ物(もの)を粗末(そまつ)にするな is a common phrase in Japanese households, reflecting the cultural value of not wasting food.

COMPARISON:

  • 粗末(そまつ): crude, rough (quality); wasteful treatment
  • 雑(ざつ): rough, sloppy (work/handling)
  • 貧(まず)しい: poor (economic condition)
general
Added 2026.1.12 10:14 · Revised 2026.5.25 8:22
03000/03323_somatsu