Translation guide
The English word 'tacky' describes something in poor taste, cheap-looking, or lacking style. This guide covers how to express these nuances naturally in Japanese.
Describing clothes, decorations, or designs that are showy but in poor taste, often cheap or flashy.
Casual, common word for 'uncool' or 'lame', often used for tacky fashion or style. Slightly slangy but widely understood.
そのシャツ、ちょっとダサくない？
Isn't that shirt a bit tacky?
Means 'flashy' or 'gaudy'. Can be neutral or negative depending on context. For tacky, it implies overly bright or showy.
あのドレスは派手すぎるよ。
That dress is too tacky/flashy.
Literally 'cheap-looking', often used for things that appear low-quality or tacky.
このネックレス、安っぽく見えるね。
This necklace looks tacky/cheap.
Means 'bad taste'. Stronger and more direct than ダサい. Used for things that are aesthetically offensive.
あのインテリアは悪趣味だと思う。
I think that interior design is tacky.
Describes something unfashionable, dowdy, or countrified. Often used for clothing or style that lacks sophistication.
その帽子、ちょっと野暮ったいよ。
That hat is a bit tacky/old-fashioned.
Describing a surface that is slightly sticky to the touch, like tape or glue that hasn't dried.
Common onomatopoeic phrase for sticky or tacky surfaces. Used for hands, floors, or objects.
テーブルがベタベタする。
The table is tacky/sticky.
Technical term for 'adhesive' or 'tacky'. Used in product descriptions or formal contexts.
このテープは粘着性があります。
This tape is tacky/adhesive.
Describing actions, jokes, or comments that are socially inappropriate, crude, or insensitive.
Means 'vulgar' or 'crude'. Used for tacky jokes or behavior that lacks refinement.
あの冗談は下品だった。
That joke was tacky/vulgar.
Literally 'lacks class/elegance'. A softer way to say something is tacky or tasteless.
彼のコメントは品がなかった。
His comment was tacky/classless.
ダサい is casual and often used among friends for unfashionable things. 悪趣味 is stronger and more judgmental, implying a fundamental lack of taste. Use 悪趣味 carefully as it can sound harsh.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all meanings of 'tacky'. Using ベタベタ for a tasteless outfit would be confusing. Choose the option that matches the specific nuance.