ugly

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is しゅう, and the kun reading is みにくい. It has 17 strokes. It appears in words for ugly appearances or disgraceful behavior.
• Basic usage: 醜い is read みにくい, and 醜態 is read しゅうたい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 醜い / 醜態
  • 醜い means ugly or unsightly and is read みにくい. It describes an action or appearance as ugly or unsightly.
  • 責任を押し付け合う姿は醜い。 means “Shifting blame back and forth is an ugly sight.”
  • 醜態 means disgraceful behavior or shameful display and is read しゅうたい. It refers to disgraceful behavior displayed in front of others.
  • 宴会で醜態をさらした彼は、翌朝みんなに謝った。 means “After behaving disgracefully at the banquet, he apologized to everyone the next morning.”