How to say "malfunction" in Japanese

• 失調しっちょうJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers 'malfunction' only marginally; its core senses are lack of harmony, balance, or coordination, as in physical or bodily imbalance. For a broken machine this is rarely the word you want.
• トラブルJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe everyday choice for 'malfunction' as a noun: failure or breakdown of an engine, machine, or computer. Typical when reporting that equipment is having trouble or has gone wrong.
  我々われわれのコンピューター・システムには最初さいしょ若干じゃっかんのトラブルがあったが、今いまは全部ぜんぶ解決かいけつされている。↗

  Initially we had some problems with our computer system, but they've been sorted out now.
• 狂うくるうJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbA verb meaning to get out of order, go amiss, or malfunction, also to become imprecise. Use it when saying a machine or device has stopped working properly or its accuracy has slipped.
  あなたの時計とけい、時間じかんは狂くるいませんか。↗

  Does your watch keep good time?

Use 「トラブル」 for mechanical or computer trouble and breakdowns, 「狂う」 for a device going out of order, and 失調 chiefly for lack of balance or coordination rather than machine failure.

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

• 失調しっちょうlack of harmony
• 誤作動ごさどうmalfunction
• 誤動作ごどうさmalfunction
• 動作不良どうさふりょうmalfunction
• 機能不全きのうふぜんdysfunction
• 不具合ふぐあいflaw
• トラブルfailure (of an engine, machine, computer, etc.)
• 狂うくるうto get out of order