Translation guide
Describes messy, untidy appearance, especially hair or clothing. Japanese has several words depending on what is dishevelled and the nuance (messy vs. unkempt vs. ruffled).
Describing messy, uncombed, or tousled hair.
An onomatopoeic word for hair that is messy, unkempt, or sticking out in all directions. Often used for bedhead or wind-blown hair.
Describing untidy, rumpled, or disarranged clothing or overall look.
Describing a messy, unkempt state of a place or person.
ぼさぼさ emphasizes hair sticking out or being fluffy-messy (like bedhead). くしゃくしゃ suggests hair is crumpled or ruffled, often from being touched or slept on. Both are common and casual.
ぼさぼさの髪をとかす。
I comb my dishevelled hair.
くしゃくしゃの髪を直す。
I fix my dishevelled hair.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'dishevelled'. Choose based on what is messy (hair, clothes, room) and the nuance. Using 乱れる for a room sounds unnatural; use 散らかる instead.
朝起きたら髪がぼさぼさだった。
When I woke up, my hair was dishevelled.
風で髪がぼさぼさになった。
My hair got dishevelled from the wind.
Describes hair that is crumpled, ruffled, or tousled, often from being touched or slept on. Can also be used for paper or fabric.
髪がくしゃくしゃだよ。
Your hair is all dishevelled.
A literary or poetic term for dishevelled hair, often with a romantic or dramatic nuance. Not used in everyday conversation.
彼女の乱れ髪が美しかった。
Her dishevelled hair was beautiful.
Means slovenly, untidy, or sloppy. Used for a person's appearance or habits. Implies a lack of care.
彼はいつもだらしない格好をしている。
He always looks dishevelled.
そんなだらしない服を着てはいけません。
You shouldn't wear such dishevelled clothes.
Intransitive verb meaning to become disordered or messy. Often used for clothing, hair, or a room. The transitive form is 乱す (みだす).
Describes clothes that are wrinkled, crumpled, or worn out. Often implies shabbiness from age or use.
よれよれのスーツを着ている。
He's wearing a dishevelled suit.
Also used for crumpled or rumpled clothing, similar to wrinkled.
シャツがくしゃくしゃだ。
My shirt is all dishevelled.
Intransitive verb meaning to be messy or cluttered, usually for rooms or spaces. For a person's appearance, だらしない is more common.
部屋が散らかっている。
The room is dishevelled/messy.
Onomatopoeia for a jumbled, messy state. Can describe a room, desk, or even thoughts.
机の上がごちゃごちゃだ。
The desk is dishevelled/cluttered.