1.
foolish; dim-witted; dopey; silly-looking
Describes someone or something that appears foolish, absent-minded, or lacking sharpness. The expression literally means 'with the timing removed,' suggesting a lack of proper sense or awareness.
間の抜けた顔をしている。
He has a dopey look on his face.
間の抜けた質問をして、みんなに笑われた。
I asked a foolish question and everyone laughed.
緊張感のある会議で、彼だけが間の抜けた発言をして場の空気を和らげた。
In the tense meeting, he alone made a silly remark and lightened the atmosphere.
Literally "with the 間 (timing, sense) removed." In Japanese, 間 refers to timing, spacing, and a sense of appropriateness. When the 間 is "removed" (抜ける), the result is something that feels off, silly, or lacking sharpness.
This expression is mildly critical and often affectionate or humorous rather than harshly insulting. It can describe facial expressions, remarks, behavior, or even sounds and appearances.
The base form 間が抜ける (to be off, to be dopey) is also common, and the noun form 間抜け (fool, dunce) derives from the same root.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 間の抜けた顔: a dopey face
- 間の抜けた声: a silly-sounding voice
- 間の抜けた発言: a foolish remark
- 間の抜けた返事: a dim-witted reply
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 間抜け: fool, dunce — the noun form; a person who is dim-witted
- 鈍い: dull, slow — lacks sharpness in perception or reaction
- {とぼけた}: feigning ignorance, absent-minded-looking — can imply deliberate obliviousness