Translation guide
Describes something overly bright, showy, or tastelessly ornate. Japanese has several words for this, ranging from neutral 'flashy' to strongly negative 'tacky'.
Describing something that stands out visually, often with bright colors or bold design, but not necessarily in bad taste.
The most common and versatile word for 'gaudy' or 'flashy'. Can be used for clothes, colors, makeup, decorations, etc. Often used in the phrase 派手な (hade na) as a na-adjective.
She always wears gaudy/flashy clothes.
That tie is a bit too gaudy.
Stronger than 派手, implies a gaudy, garish, or cheap-looking flashiness. Often used for overly bright or clashing colors and excessive decoration.
I don't like gaudy makeup.
Colloquial, often used in Kansai region. Means 'gaudy' or 'loud' in a harsh, offensive way, especially for colors.
That pink wall is really gaudy.
Describing something that is not only showy but also in poor taste, often associated with low quality or vulgarity.
Means 'vulgar', 'tasteless', or 'crude'. Used for gaudy things that lack refinement. A na-adjective: 下品な.
That gold-plated decoration is gaudy/tacky.
Literally 'bad taste'. Describes something gaudy or tacky due to poor aesthetic judgment. Often used for fashion, interior design, or accessories.
Means 'cheap-looking' or 'tawdry'. Implies gaudiness that comes from low-quality materials or poor design. Often used for jewelry, clothes, or decorations.
Also used for tastelessly loud colors or designs, similar to 'garish'.
Describing something with too many decorative elements, often in an elaborate or baroque style that feels gaudy.
Again, 派手 is the go-to word. It covers 'overly ornate' when the context is clear.
The interior of that palace is too gaudy.
Emphasizes the excessive, cluttered decoration that looks gaudy.
A phrase meaning 'overly decorated', 'cluttered', or 'gaudy'. Often used for interiors, accessories, or designs that have too much going on.
I don't like gaudy/overly ornate accessories.
Specifically for colors or patterns that are so bright or clashing that they are unpleasant to look at.
The best word for 'garish' or 'loud' colors. Implies an offensive, harsh brightness.
You should avoid gaudy-colored shirts.
Also works for garish colors, especially when combined with excessive patterns.
Can be used for loud colors, but is more neutral. Often used in 派手な色.
派手 (hade) is the most common and neutral word for 'flashy' or 'gaudy'. It can be positive or negative depending on context. けばけばしい (kebakebashii) is always negative, implying cheapness or bad taste. どぎつい (dogitsui) is colloquial and specifically refers to harsh, offensive colors or designs, often used in Kansai dialect.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches all nuances of 'gaudy'. Using 派手 is safe in most contexts, but for strong negativity, choose けばけばしい or 下品. For colors, どぎつい is often best.
その派手な柄の組み合わせは悪趣味だと思う。
I think that combination of gaudy patterns is in bad taste.
That necklace is gaudy and cheap-looking.
その看板の色使いはどぎつい。
The color scheme of that sign is gaudy.
Furniture with gaudy ornamentation.
A gaudy combination of primary colors.
He drives a gaudy-colored car.