How to say "negligence" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 油断ゆだんnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers negligence as a lapse in attention — letting your guard down or being caught unprepared. Typical when an accident or mistake happens because someone was momentarily off guard, not because duties were ignored.
- 怠慢たいまんnoun, na-adjectiveNegligence in the sense of neglect of duty: failing to do what one is responsible for. Suits criticism of a person or organization that has neglected its obligations.
- 怠りおこたりnounThe act of neglecting something one ought to do — a duty, task, or effort left undone. Overlaps with 怠慢, and fits negligence as continuing neglect rather than a single careless slip.
- 不行き届きふゆきとどきna-adjective, nounNegligence as care or arrangements falling short — something not attended to thoroughly. Typical in apologies or complaints about imperfect service, handling, or preparation.
- noun, na-adjectiveReally 'disregard' or 'making light of' something — treating it as unimportant — rather than negligence as a lapse or failure, and seldom the word you want for negligence itself.
Choose 油断 for a momentary lapse of attention, 怠慢 for neglect of duty, 「怠り」 for the act of neglecting what one should do, 「不行き届き」 for care or arrangements falling short, and 「なおざり」 for treating things lightly.
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).
