How to say "unlucky" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 不吉ふきつna-adjective, nounCovers 'unlucky' in the sense of ominous or inauspicious: things, signs, or happenings that seem to bode misfortune. It carries a foreboding, sinister nuance rather than describing a person's run of bad luck.
- 細いほそいi-adjectiveA slang rendering of 'unlucky'; the word's basic meaning is 'thin, slender.' As a way to say 'unlucky' it is casual and marginal, and learners will seldom want it in ordinary contexts.
Use 不吉 for the ominous, inauspicious sense of 'unlucky'—signs or things that seem to bode misfortune—while 「細い」 is only a slang way to say 'unlucky' and is rarely the word learners need.
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).
