けばい

けばい
adjective (i)
gaudy
1. gaudy
flashy; garish; excessively showy or loud (in appearance)
けばい化粧(けしょう)だ。
That's heavy/gaudy makeup.
あの(ふく)はちょっとけばい。
Those clothes are a bit flashy.
けばい(いろ)ネイル(ねいる)はオフィスには()かない。
Flashy nail colors aren't appropriate for the office.

けばい is an informal i-adjective describing something excessively flashy or garish.

ETYMOLOGY:

  • Likely related to 毛羽(けば) (fuzz, fluff), suggesting something overly fluffy/busy

USAGE:

  • Has a negative or critical nuance
  • Describes excessive, tasteless showiness
  • Commonly used for makeup, clothing, or decorations

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • けばい化粧(けしょう) (heavy/gaudy makeup)
  • けばい(ふく) (flashy clothes)
  • けばい(いろ) (garish colors)
  • けばいネオン(ねおん) (flashy neon lights)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 派手(はで): Flashy, showy (can be positive or neutral)
  • けばけばしい: More emphatic version (very gaudy)
  • けばい: Specifically negative, implies tastelessness

VARIANT:

  • けばけばしい is a more emphatic form meaning "very gaudy"

REGISTER: Informal. Colloquial and mildly critical.