みすぼらしい

みすぼらしい describes something that looks shabby, run-down, or poor. It conveys a visual impression of poverty or neglect.

Forms

• みすぼらしくない: not shabby (negative)
• みすぼらしく: shabbily (adverbial)
• みすぼらしかった: was shabby (past)
• みすぼらしさ: shabbiness (noun form)

Common collocations

• みすぼらしい服(ふく): shabby clothes
• みすぼらしい建物(たてもの): run-down building
• みすぼらしい格好(かっこう): shabby appearance
• みすぼらしくなる: to become shabby

Writing

Can be written as 見窄(みすぼ)らしい, but hiragana is standard.

Similar words

• 粗末(そまつ): plain, humble, shabby (things, food)
• 貧相(ひんそう): poor-looking (especially people's appearance)
• ボロボロ: tattered, falling apart (stronger, physical deterioration)
• 古臭(ふるくさ)い: old-fashioned, musty (emphasizes outdatedness)