The Meaning of hade [派手] In Japanese

派手
はで
Romaji: hade N3

What does 派手 mean?

Translation and Meaning

showy, flashy, gaudy

Definition

派手 means flashy or ostentatious in appearance or style. It describes bold colors, loud patterns, or extravagant displays that draw strong attention, and the nuance can be positive or negative depending on context.

Type

na-adjective (形容動詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Primary sense describes outward exhibition: bold, bright, or dramatic styling that grabs attention.
  • Conveys showiness in people, costumes, makeup, or performances, sometimes implying tasteless or excessive display.
  • Usage in media and advertising to describe glamorous aesthetics or high-energy branding.
  • Dual polarity: can be positive (fashionable, lively) or negative (showy, gaudy) depending on tone and context.

Composition

  • 派: a faction, group, or outward style; suggests manner or approach
  • 手: hand, technique; indicates method or craft

Usage

Used as a noun or na-adjective; the typical pattern is 派手な + noun, with the noun form 派手さ expressing degree. In casual speech, it describes outfits, parties, or performances; in formal writing, more restrained terms may be chosen. It often carries a subjective judgement about taste or appropriateness depending on who is speaking.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a parade where a bold hand waves flashy signs to a faction—hand plus showy approach helps recall that 派手 = showy or ostentatious.

Variations

  • 地味 (jimi) — plain, subdued
  • 華やか (hanayaka) — glamorous, bright
  • 派手さ (hadesa) — degree of ostentation
  • 控えめ (hikaeme) — restrained
  • 豪華 (gouka) — luxurious

Example Phrases

  • 彼女はパーティーで派手なドレスを着ていた。
    Kanojo wa pātī de hade na doresu o kite ita.
    She was wearing a flashy dress at the party.
    Lista:
    • 彼女 (Kanojo) – she
    • は (wa) – topic marker
    • パーティーで (pātī de) – at the party
    • 派手な (hade na) – flashy
    • ドレスを (doresu o) – dress (object)
    • 着ていた (kite ita) – was wearing
    派手 is a na-adjective; here 「派手な」 modifies the noun 「ドレス」, giving the nuance of ‘flashy/gaudy’.
派手