How to say "unjust" in Japanese

• 不当ふとうJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'unjust' in its most general sense: unfair or wrongful treatment, decisions, or judgments that lack proper justification. This is the word to reach for when no special nuance is intended.
  その女性じょせいは不当ふとうに私を責せめた。↗

  That woman has wrongly accused me.
• 非道ひどうCommon
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveCovers 'unjust' with the added sense of 'inhuman': cruelty or heartlessness that goes beyond mere unfairness. Think of villainous, morally outrageous acts rather than biased decisions.
• 不穏当ふおんとうCommon
  na-adjective, nounIts primary senses are 'improper' and 'inappropriate', so it fits 'unjust' only marginally — for words or behavior judged improper or not quite fair, not for serious injustice.
• 不法ふほうCommon
  na-adjective, nounTreats the injustice as a breach of law or rules: unjust in the sense of unwarranted or unreasonable, viewed from a legal standpoint rather than one of simple fairness.
• 無法むほうCommon
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveDescribes lawless, disorderly conduct — 'unjust' in the sense of outrageous behavior that flouts rules and order altogether, not mere unfairness in a decision or judgment.

Use 不当 for general unfair or wrongful treatment, 非道 for cruel, inhuman injustice, 不法 for injustice framed as breaking law or rules, 無法 for lawless, outrageous conduct, and 不穏当 mainly for improper, inappropriate behavior.

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

• 不当ふとうunfair
• 非道ひどうunjust
• 不穏当ふおんとうimproper
• 不法ふほうunreasonable
• 無法むほうoutrageous
• ひどいexcessive