How to say "crude" in Japanese

Choosing the right word
  • 粗末そまつJLPT N3approx.Common
    na-adjective, nounCovers a crude sense in the line of 'rough and plain': something made or furnished in a shabby, humble way. Use it for simple, poorly appointed houses, meals, or belongings; it often carries a speaker's apologetic nuance.
    道具どうぐを粗末そまつに使つかうな。↗
    Don't handle these tools roughly.
  • 雑ざつJLPT N1approx.Common
    na-adjectiveMeans crude in the sense of rough, careless, and sloppy. It describes work done with little care or finishes that look hasty and untidy, so it suits handiwork, writing, or preparations judged slapdash rather than shoddy in material.
    お客きゃくが雑ざつな作つくりのスタンドに座すわって靴くつを磨みがいてもらっている。↗
    A customer is having his shoes shined on a slapped-together stand.
  • 粗悪そあくCommon
    na-adjective, no-adjectiveMeans crude as 'coarse and inferior': goods of poor quality or bad make. It is the natural choice for shoddy, low-grade products and manufactures, emphasizing that the quality itself is defective rather than merely plain or hastily done.
  • 粗雑そざつCommon
    na-adjective, nounMeans crude as coarse and rough, typically for work, handling, or construction that is done roughly and without refinement. It suggests careless, unpolished execution, and overlaps with 雑 in criticizing how something was done rather than its material quality.
    その方法ほうほうは粗雑そざつなものであったが、効果的こうかてきだった。↗
    The method was crude, but very effective.
  • i-adjectiveMeans crude only in the sense of awkward, stiff, or clumsy. It describes unrefined movement, gesture, or manner, such as stiff motions or an unsmooth delivery; for crude objects or materials it is seldom the word you want.
    彼かれは動作どうさがぎこちない。↗
    He is awkward in his movements.

For 'crude', choose 粗末 for humble or shabbily made things, 雑 for careless sloppiness, 粗悪 for inferior quality goods, 粗雑 for rough, careless work, and 「ぎこちない」 only for awkward, clumsy movement or skill.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android