Entry
けばけば
kebakeba
Describes an appearance or decoration that is excessively bright, colorful, or over-decorated to the point of being tasteless.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Kebakeba is used to express a negative reaction to something that is visually overwhelming. It often refers to makeup applied too thickly, clothes with loud and clashing colors, or rooms filled with too many distracting ornaments.
- Appearance or makeup that is overdone.
- Decorations or colors that are loud and lack refinement.
Sense Map
Fashion and Makeup
Used for clothing styles or cosmetic applications that look cheap or excessively showy.
彼女はけばけばした服を着ている。
Decor and Environment
Used for spaces or objects decorated with too many colors or glaring lights.
けばけばした看板が並ぶ。
Usage Note
How to Use
けばけばする
Used as a verb to state that a current state or object looks gaudy.
けばけばした + noun
Used as an adjective to directly describe something as garish.
けばけばと + verb
Describes an action, such as decorating or dressing, that results in a gaudy appearance.
How to Use
Common Phrases
けばけばした化粧
Gaudy makeup applied too thickly.
けばけばした色使い
A garish use of colors that clash.
けばけばと飾る
To decorate in a showy and tasteless manner.
部屋をけばけばする
To make a room look gaudy with excessive decor.
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Makeup | Negative | Implies the makeup is unnatural and poorly applied. |
| City Neon Lights | Neutral/Negative | Describes a cityscape that is over-saturated with dizzying, colorful advertisements. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
派手 はで / nearby | Use when you want to say something is flashy or bright without necessarily being negative. | Hade can be positive (stylish/grand), while kebakeba is almost always negative (tasteless). | 派手なドレスでパーティーに行く。 |
きんきら きんきら / nearby | Use specifically for things that are very sparkly, usually due to gold or jewelry. | Kinkira focuses on metallic glitter, while kebakeba is about general over-decoration and loud colors. | キンキラの時計を自慢する。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using kebakeba to compliment a friend's bright new outfit.
Use hade or akarui. Kebakeba sounds like you are insulting their taste.
Using kebakeba to describe a beautiful sunset.
Use mabushii or utsukushii. Kebakeba is for artificial or stylistic excess, not natural beauty.
Examples
Examples
彼女の化粧は少しけばけばしている。
かのじょのけしょうはすこしけばけばしている。
Her makeup is a bit gaudy.
VisualRefers to makeup that is applied too thickly or excessively.
この部屋は飾りが多くて、けばけばした印象を受ける。
このへやはかざりがおおくて、けばけばしたいんしょうをうける。
This room has so many decorations it gives a gaudy impression.
VisualRefers to interior decorations that are overdone.
けばけばとした看板が並ぶ夜の街を歩く。
けばけばとしたかんばんがならぶよるのまちをあるく。
Walking through the night city lined with garish neon signs.
VisualRefers to neon lights that are too bright and colorful.
けばけばとした色のポスターはあまり好きではない。
けばけばとしたいろのぽすたーはあまりすきではない。
I don't really like posters with gaudy colors.
VisualRefers to color combinations that are too high-contrast and harsh on the eyes.
店の中をけばけばと飾るのはやめてほしい。
みせのなかをけばけばとかざるのはやめてほしい。
I wish you wouldn't decorate the inside of the shop so gaudily.
VisualDescribes a way of decorating that results in an overdone appearance.
Similar Words
キンキラ
kinkira
Flashy due to gold or jewelry glitter.
Questions
Is kebakeba always a bad thing?
In standard usage, yes. It suggests a lack of refinement and excessive showiness.
How is it different from hade?
Hade can be cool or impressive. Kebakeba is what happens when hade goes too far and becomes tacky.
Can it describe a person's personality?
Not usually. It is strictly used for visual appearance and physical objects.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1004210
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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