粗末(そまつ)な

そまつな
na-adjective
poor-quality; humble; shabby
descriptive
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(そまつ)な食事(しょくじ)だった。
It was a humble meal.
村(むら)には粗末(そまつ)な小屋(こや)が並(なら)んでいた。
Shabby huts lined the village.
見(み)た目(め)は粗末(そまつ)だが、味(あじ)は最高(さいこう)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(た)べ物(もの)を粗末(そまつ)にするな。
Don't waste food.
ものを粗末(そまつ)にする子供(こども)を叱(しか)った。
I scolded the child for treating things carelessly.
せっかくもらった贈(おく)り物(もの)を粗末(そまつ)に扱(あつか)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(そまつ)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(そまつ)な食事(しょくじ) (a humble/simple meal)
  • 粗末(そまつ)な身(み)なり (shabby appearance)
  • ものを粗末(そまつ)にする (to treat things carelessly, to waste)
  • 粗末(そまつ)なものですが (it's nothing special, but... — humble offering)

Similar words

Related Words

Synonym: 質素(しっそ) (frugal (positive))
Synonym: 貧相(ひんそう) (shabby (stronger negative))
general
Added 2026.3.9 15:13 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
15500/15983_somatsuna