みっともない

• Reading: みっともない
• Romaji: mittomonai
• Pronunciation: /mi.t.to̞.mo̞.na.i/

Meaning

Shameful; unsightly; disgraceful; indecent. Describes behaviour or appearance that is embarrassing and unworthy of respect.

An i-adjective very close in meaning to 見苦しい but often stronger in its social and moral condemnation. While 見苦しい can describe a messy room, みっともない more often targets behaviour that brings shame upon oneself — public quarrels, poor sportsmanship, or acts unbecoming of one's position. Widely used across all ages in everyday speech.

Examples

1. 人前でそんなにみっともなく泣くなんて、恥ずかしいよ。 Crying like that in public is embarrassing, you know.
2. みっともない真似はするな、と父に強く言い聞かされて育った。 I was raised with my father firmly telling me not to do anything disgraceful.
3. お金のことで兄弟が争う姿は、本当にみっともなかった。 The sight of brothers quarrelling over money was truly shameful.

Usage Guide

Context: behaviour, social criticism, family, etiquette

Tone: reproachful, informal

Origin & History

Derived from 見っとも (mitto — worth seeing, presentable) + ない (nai — not). The positive form 見っとも is now archaic; the negation みっともない has become the standard form.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: General