5 Comments
Oct 19Liked by Kotoba Collections

I’ve yet to find Japanese words that cover the concepts of “tacky” and “cheesy” successfully.

Expand full comment
author

That's a great point! I hadn't thought of that while writing but you're right, 品のない and ダサい aren't really the same. Especially once you start getting toward the camp and kitsch meanings of tacky and cheesy

Expand full comment

My favorite is “Kuchisabishii.” Is it me or does it seem obvious that these words, and even the French ones, are much more wholesome in capturing the full experience of what the word means? Something the English dictionary can really learn from, I think.

Expand full comment

Would comfort eating be the closest we get to 口寂しい?

Expand full comment

Thank you for posting this useful list along with a detailed explanation of each word. Regarding 積ん読く, is there a more modern equivalent for the Internet? I have a habit of letting emails in my "Social" category pile up like this. I have every intention of getting to them eventually, but time flies before there is nothing left to do but clean out my inbox before it gets out of hand.

Expand full comment