How to say "lousy" in Japanese

• へたくそCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'lousy' meaning unskilled or clumsy at an activity. It is a blunt, derogatory way to say someone is poor at something, such as singing, drawing, or playing a sport, and should be used with care toward others.
  ヘタクソな人ひとは英訳えいやくしないでください。英訳えいやく依頼者いらいしゃからのお願ねがいです。↗

  Please don't do translations if you're crap at it. This is a plea from the English translation clients.
• しらみだらけ
  no-adjectiveOnly the literal sense: lousy as in lice-ridden or covered in lice. For the figurative senses of 'lousy' this is not the word you want at all; it really describes someone or something infested with lice.
• チンケ
  na-adjectiveCovers 'lousy' meaning crummy, shabby, or petty. A colloquial term applied to things considered cheap or insignificant, such as lousy excuses or shabby places, with a dismissive nuance.

Use 「へたくそ」 for being lousy at doing something, 「しらみだらけ」 only for the literal sense of being covered in lice, and 「チンケ」 for things considered crummy or shabby.

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

• へたくそunskilled
• しらみだらけlousy
• ちんけcrummy