How to say "inconvenient" in Japanese

• 不都合ふつごうCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers inconvenient, unfavourable or troublesome circumstances generally, especially matters that are awkward or disadvantageous for someone. A good default for abstract inconvenience in plans, facts or arrangements.
• 住みにくいすみにくい
  i-adjectiveApplies only to residences and surroundings that are difficult or unpleasant to live in — poor access, noisy streets, the like. Not the word for inconvenient timing or situations.
• 都合が悪いつごうがわるい
  expression, i-adjectiveThe everyday phrase for a time, schedule or circumstance that does not work for you, as in being unable to attend. Predicative use, describing when something is inconvenient for someone.
  あなたからご都合つごうが悪わるいというお知しらせがなければ水曜すいようの夕方ゆうがたに参まいります。↗

  I will come on Wednesday evening unless I hear from you to the contrary.
• 都合の悪いつごうのわるい
  expression, i-adjectiveSame sense as 都合が悪い but in prenominal form, used directly before a noun, as in an inconvenient time or an awkward fact. It cannot stand alone as a predicate.
  都合つごうの悪わるいこと、そうそう隠かくしとおせるもんじゃないよ。悪事あくじ千里せんりを行いく、っていうだろう。↗

  You can't hide the fact that you're having a hard time. Bad news travels fast you know.
• 不具合ふぐあい
  na-adjectiveChiefly a technical term for a fault, glitch or malfunction in a machine, system or software; its 'inconvenient' gloss reflects this. Seldom the word you want for general inconvenience.

Use 不都合 or 「都合が悪い」 for situations or timing that work against you, 「都合の悪い」 when modifying a noun, 「住みにくい」 only for hard-to-live-in housing, and 不具合 chiefly for malfunctions.

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

• 不都合ふつごうinconvenient
• 住みにくいすみにくいinconvenient (residence)
• 都合が悪いつごうがわるいinconvenient
• 都合の悪いつごうのわるいinconvenient
• 不具合ふぐあいinconvenient
• 間が悪いまがわるいinconvenient
• 具合が悪いぐあいがわるいinconvenient
• 困ったこまったinopportune