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How to say "misfortune" in Japanese

Choosing the right word
  • 災害さいがいJLPT N1approx.Common
    nounCovers 'misfortune' only in the sense of a calamity or disaster — a large-scale destructive event such as a natural catastrophe or serious accident; it is not the word for personal bad luck.
    嵐あらしは、多おおくの災害さいがいを引き起ひきおこした。↗
    The storm caused a lot of damage.
  • 災いわざわいCommon
    nounA calamity or trouble that befalls a person; the image is of misfortune descending on someone, and it can also suggest trouble that one brings on oneself.
    災わざわいを転てんじて福ふくとしなさい。↗
    Turn your misfortune to account.
  • 不運ふうんJLPT N2approx.Common
    noun, na-adjectiveThe natural choice for 'misfortune' as bad luck: an unlucky turn of events or unlucky circumstances in a person's life, with no implication of a large-scale disaster.
    彼かれは身みの不運ふうんを嘆き悲なげきかなしんだ。↗
    He wept over his misfortunes.
  • 不幸ふこうJLPT N3approx.Common
    noun, na-adjectiveCovers misfortune bound up with unhappiness or sorrow — unfortunate circumstances or events in someone's life; its primary sense is unhappiness itself, so it colors 'misfortune' with emotional suffering.
    それで余計よけいに彼かれは不幸ふこうになった。↗
    That added to his unhappiness.
  • 災難さいなんJLPT N2approx.Common
    nounMisfortune as a calamity or disaster that strikes an individual — trouble a person meets with or is caught up in; it points to personal calamity rather than disaster as a large-scale event.
    人生じんせいに災難さいなんは付き物つきもの。↗
    Accidents will happen.

Choose 不運 for bad luck, 不幸 for misfortune tinged with unhappiness, 災難 for calamity striking an individual, 「災い」 for trouble befalling a person, and 災害 for large-scale disasters.

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

Japanese equivalents
See also
calamitydisasterevil

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

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