Translation guide
Describes something that is overly bright, showy, or tastelessly decorated. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adjectives and nouns that emphasize flashiness, lack of refinement, or excessive decoration.
Describing clothes, decorations, or style that is too bright, colorful, or overdone in a tasteless way.
Her dress is too gaudy.
You should avoid gaudy-colored ties.
Emphasizes harsh, glaring, or lurid colors. Stronger than 派手 and often negative.
The colors on that sign are so gaudy it hurts my eyes.
Describes something that is gaudy, showy, and cheap-looking. Often used for makeup, clothes, or decorations.
Gaudy makeup is in poor taste.
Means gaudy or garish, but also implies something is overly strong, harsh, or even vicious. Can describe colors, flavors, or personalities.
I wish they wouldn't use that gaudy pink wallpaper.
Describing objects, architecture, or design that is too elaborate, with too many decorative elements, often in poor taste.
Also used for overly ornate things. The context makes the meaning clear.
That hotel lobby is full of gaudy decorations.
Describes something cluttered with excessive, often tasteless decoration. Implies a messy, overdone look.
I don't like gaudy, overdone accessories.
Means vulgar or in poor taste. Can be used for gaudy, cheap-looking things. More formal/literary.
Describing a person or their behavior that is flamboyant, showy, and lacking subtlety, often in a way that attracts negative attention.
派手 (はで) is the most general and neutral word for 'flashy' or 'gaudy'. It can be positive or negative depending on context. けばけばしい is strongly negative, implying cheapness and bad taste. どぎつい emphasizes harsh, glaring colors and is always negative.
派手 only refers to visual flashiness or flamboyant behavior. For loud sounds, use うるさい (noisy) or 大きな音 (loud sound).
The building was criticized for its gaudy design.
A person with a gaudy appearance came in.