Meaning

Primary

Ugly

Alternatives

Unattractive, Unsightly, Unseemly

Word Type

い adjective

Explanation

This is a single kanji with an on the end, meaning you know it's probably an adjective. What's the adjective form of ugly? It's ugly still!

Reading

みにくい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

The most ugly thing you've ever seen was a mini cookie (みにく). Why would any one want a tiny cookie? Cookies should be huge, and enough to fill you up. The more you look at the mini cookie it seems to become uglier and uglier to you.

Context

Context Sentences

あの女は、顔は美しいが心は醜い。

That woman’s face is beautiful but her heart is ugly.

Kanji Composition