How to say "irregular" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- na-adjective, no-adjectiveIts 'irregular' is about shape: something distorted, crooked or warped rather than neat. Think of a lopsided circle or a warped pot; not the word for schedules or patterns. Usually written in kana.
- 不順ふじゅんna-adjective, nounDescribes natural conditions that turn out unseasonable, changeable or unsettled, above all the weather and the seasons. Not the word for irregular schedules, shapes or routines.
- 不規則ふきそくna-adjective, nounThe broadest term: anything that lacks a regular pattern, being unsteady, unsystematic or disorderly — irregular routines, rhythms and the like. When no more specific word fits, this is the one.
- 不定期ふていきna-adjective, no-adjectiveThe word for 'irregular' about timing: a schedule or service that does not run at fixed intervals, a length of time left indeterminate, or payments made on a staggered basis.
- na-adjective, nounSeldom the word you want for 'irregular': this mimetic term paints things as mismatched or ill-assorted, or talk that will not hang together. Reach for it when the sense is mismatch, not irregularity.
Choose by what is irregular: shapes take 「いびつ」, weather and seasons 不順, routines and patterns 不規則, schedules and payments 不定期, while 「ちぐはぐ」 is for mismatched things rather than true irregularity.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
