How to say "clumsy" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- na-adjective, nounCovers 'clumsy' in the sense of hopeless or lousy at a skill. It is openly derogatory — it mocks rather than describes — so it fits blunt criticism or teasing, never polite feedback.
- i-adjectiveCovers 'clumsy' as stiff and awkward — movement or manner that lacks natural smoothness. Typical context: a person whose motions come out stiff and unnatural, the opposite of fluid.
- 拙劣せつれつna-adjective, nounCovers 'clumsy' as unskillfully done — work or handling that is poorly executed. Typical context: criticizing the clumsy way something was done or handled rather than a person's physical awkwardness.
- 不器用ぶきようna-adjective, nounCovers 'clumsy' in the physical sense: a person who is awkward and unskillful with their hands or body. Typical context: someone who fumbles with objects or struggles at handicrafts.
- 無骨ぶこつna-adjective, nounSeldom the word you want for 'clumsy': it really means unrefined, rustic, uncouth — artless and lacking polish rather than physically awkward. Its connection to 'clumsy' is marginal.
Choose 不器用 for physical clumsiness, 「ぎこちない」 for stiff, awkward movement or manner, 拙劣 for unskillfully done work, 「へたくそ」 for insulting 'lousy at it', and 無骨 only for unrefined, uncouth artlessness.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- へたくそunskilled
- ぎこちないawkward
- 拙劣せつれつclumsy
- 不器用ぶきようclumsy
- 武骨ぶこつboorish
- 稚拙ちせつunskillful
- へぼいclumsy
- ぶきっちょclumsy
- ぶさいくclumsy (work)
- 不精巧ふせいこうclumsy
- 無様ぶざまunsightly
- どんくさいslow
- へぼbungler
- エラっぽいklutzy
- たどたどしいfaltering
- 下手っぴへたっぴunskilled
- 危なげあぶなげseeming dangerous
- 怪しいあやしいuntrustworthy
- 重いおもいslow
- まずいpoor
- ぽんこつclumsy
- 尻が重いしりがおもいclumsy
- 不格好ぶかっこうawkward
- つたないunskillful
- へまbungling
- 臭いくさいclumsy
See also
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