どんくさい
どんくさい
adjective (i)
clumsy, slow-witted, awkward
1.
clumsy, slow-witted, awkward
Describes someone who is physically clumsy, mentally slow, or generally inept. Originally from Kansai dialect but now widely understood.
どんくさいなあ、もう。
You're so clumsy, honestly.
自分でもどんくさいと思う。
Even I think I'm clumsy.
どんくさくて運動会ではいつも最後だった。
I was so clumsy that I always came in last at sports day.
FORMS:
- Adverbial: どんくさく
- Negative: どんくさくない
- Past: どんくさかった
ORIGIN:
Originally Kansai dialect, now used across Japan, especially in casual speech.
NUANCE:
Can be used affectionately or teasingly, but can also be rude depending on context. Often used for self-deprecation.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 鈍い: dull, slow (more standard)
- 不器用: clumsy, unskillful (more neutral)
- のろい: slow, sluggish