1.
fool; idiot; dimwit
A person who is slow-witted or does foolish things. Also used as a na-adjective to describe foolish actions or appearances.
なんて間抜けなやつだ。
What an idiot.
間抜けな顔をして突っ立っていた。
He was standing there with a stupid look on his face.
鍵をかけたまま家の中に閉じ込めてしまうなんて、間抜けにもほどがある。
Locking yourself inside the house with the key still in the door — there's a limit to how foolish you can be.
ETYMOLOGY:
Literally "missing the 間" — from the performing arts, where 間 refers to timing or rhythm. Someone who misses the beat is out of step, hence foolish.
USAGE:
Used both as a noun (間抜けだ) and as a na-adjective (間抜けな). Moderately insulting — stronger than おっちょこちょい} (scatterbrained) but less harsh than {馬鹿 in many contexts. Often used with exasperated affection.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 間抜けな顔 (stupid face/expression)
- 間抜けな失敗 (stupid mistake)
- 間抜けにもほどがある (there's a limit to how foolish one can be)