Japanese symbol for “lackluster”
しょぼい
しょぼい
Romaji: shoboi
shabby; dull; cheap; lackluster
In Japanese, lackluster is しょぼい (shoboi).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- adj-i shabby; dull; cheap; lackluster; uninspiring; depressing
Written forms: —. Readings: しょぼい、ショボい.
Other Japanese words for “lackluster”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| どんより | どんより don'yori | heavy; leaden; dull |
| パッとしない | パッとしない pattoshinai | unimpressive; unspectacular; unsatisfactory |
| 冴えない | さえない saenai | dissatisfying; disappointing; lackluster |
See also: Chinese symbol for “lackluster”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.