1.
crude, rough, poor quality
Made without care or skill; of low quality.
粗末な作りの家具だ。
It's poorly made furniture.
粗末な小屋に住んでいた。
They lived in a crude shack.
粗末な道具しかなかった。
There were only crude tools available.
2.
humble, plain
Simple and modest, often used as self-deprecation.
粗末な食事ですが、どうぞ。
It's just a humble meal, but please help yourself.
Polite self-deprecation when offering food.
粗末なものですが、お受け取りください。
It's just a humble gift, but please accept it.
Polite self-deprecating expression when giving a gift.
粗末ながら、お茶を用意しました。
It's nothing special, but I've prepared some tea.
3.
wasteful treatment, disrespect
Treating something carelessly or without proper respect.
食べ物を粗末にしてはいけない。
You shouldn't waste food.
Common parental instruction.
物を粗末にする子供は叱られる。
Children who are careless with their things get scolded.
命を粗末にしてはいけない。
You must not treat life carelessly.
USAGE:
粗末にする means "to treat carelessly" or "to waste," often used about food.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 粗末な + noun (crude/humble ~)
- 粗末にする (to treat carelessly, to waste)
- 粗末ですが (it's humble but...) - polite phrase
CULTURAL NOTE:
食べ物を粗末にするな is a common phrase in Japanese households, reflecting the cultural value of not wasting food.
COMPARISON:
- 粗末: crude, rough (quality); wasteful treatment
- 雑: rough, sloppy (work/handling)
- 貧しい: poor (economic condition)