ブサイク

ぶさいく
na-adjective, noun
ugly, unattractive, clumsy
informalspokencolloquialappearanceevaluation
1. ugly, unattractive
Describes someone or something that is not good-looking. Can be quite rude when said about a person.
自分(じぶん)ことブサイクだ(おも)
I think I'm ugly.
ブサイク性格(せいかく)よければモテる。
Even if you're not attractive, you can be popular if you have a good personality.
I ended up making an ugly face in the photo.
2. clumsy, poorly done, botched
Describes something done without skill or finesse. From the original meaning of 不細工(ぶさいく) (lacking fine craftsmanship).
ブサイクな仕上(しあ)がりになった。
It turned out poorly done.
My handwriting is clumsy and I'm embarrassed.
The wrapping looked sloppy, so I redid it.

Writing

Written in kanji as 不細工(ぶさいく), literally "lacking fine craftsmanship." The katakana spelling ブサイク is more common in casual writing.

Watch out

Calling someone ブサイク directly is very rude. It's mainly used self-deprecatingly, in comedy, or among very close friends. Using it about others behind their back is considered mean.

Related slang

  • ブス: ugly (even ruder, mainly about women — use with extreme caution)
  • イケメン: good-looking man (positive counterpart)