いびつ

Alternative writings:
Frequency:
1

Distorted, crooked, or irregular in shape or appearance (commonly written in kana as "いびつ").

Na-AdjectiveNoun Taking 'の'NounUsually Kana

Examples

壊れた鏡にはいびつな自分の顔が映っていた。

My distorted face was reflected in the broken mirror.

彼らの関係はどこかいびつで、素直に話せない部分がある。

Their relationship is somewhat skewed; there are parts they can't speak about frankly.

前歯がいびつで、治療を検討している。

My front teeth are crooked, and I'm considering treatment.

2

An oval or elliptical shape that is irregular (not a perfect circle).

NounNa-AdjectiveUsually Kana

Examples

この石は少しいびつな楕円をしている。

This stone has a slightly irregular oval shape.

いびつな形の窓が古い建物の雰囲気を作っている。

The irregularly shaped windows give the old building its character.

3

(Rare) A round wooden container for cooked rice (cf. meshibitsu).

NounUsually Kana

Examples

祖母の家には古い木製のいびつ(飯櫃)が残っている。

At my grandmother's house there remains an old wooden ibitsu (meshibitsu).

4

(Historical) An oval or irregularly shaped coin.

Noun

Examples

博物館でいびつな形の古い硬貨が展示されていた。

The museum displayed an old coin with an irregular shape.