ぼんくら

ぼ

ん

く

ら

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

usually written using kana alone

Describes a person or their thinking as slow, dim, or lacking sharpness. Often used in casual, mildly derogatory speech.

usually written using kana alone

Refers to a person who is habitually stupid or slow on the uptake. Used as a mild insult.

馬ば鹿か
馬鹿 is a more common and versatile insult meaning 'fool' or 'idiot', while ぼんくら specifically emphasizes slow-wittedness or dullness.
間ま抜ぬけ
間抜け also means 'fool' or 'blockhead', but often implies a lack of common sense or awareness, whereas ぼんくら focuses on intellectual slowness.

ぼんくらUsage47%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 盆暗 is rare and may not be widely recognized.
ボンクラUsage53%
kana-only spelling
Katakana variant, often used for emphasis or in casual contexts.
盆ぼん暗くら
Kanji form; rarely used and may be unfamiliar to many readers.

From 盆暗, originally a gambling-table term for a person unable to follow the play, and hence a dull-witted or incompetent person.