1.
poor-quality; crude; shabby
Describes something of low quality, roughly made, or lacking refinement. Used for food, clothing, objects, or living conditions.
粗末な食事だった。
It was a humble meal.
村には粗末な小屋が並んでいた。
Shabby huts lined the village.
見た目は粗末だが、味は最高だった。
It looked plain, but the taste was superb.
2.
wasteful; careless treatment of something
Treating something — especially food or gifts — carelessly or without proper respect. Often used in the phrase ものを粗末にする.
食べ物を粗末にするな。
Don't waste food.
ものを粗末にする子供を叱った。
I scolded the child for treating things carelessly.
せっかくもらった贈り物を粗末に扱ってはいけない。
You shouldn't treat a gift you received carelessly.
USAGE:
Sense 1 often carries a humble or understated tone, especially when describing one's own food or possessions. The set phrase 粗末なものですが is used when modestly offering something. Sense 2 is commonly heard in parental admonitions about not wasting food or mistreating objects.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 粗末な食事 (a humble/simple meal)
- 粗末な身なり (shabby appearance)
- ものを粗末にする (to treat things carelessly, to waste)
- 粗末なものですが (it's nothing special, but... — humble offering)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 質素な: simple and frugal — implies a positive, intentional simplicity
- 貧相な: shabby-looking, poor in appearance — more negative than 粗末