How to say "unpleasant" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- i-adjectiveCovers 'unpleasant' in the sense of nasty or disagreeable, typically about behavior or things that put you off; it can also suggest something sly or lewd.
- 苦々しいにがにがしいi-adjectiveDescribes 'unpleasant' as a bitter, loathsome feeling directed at someone's shameful or contemptible behavior; it names the speaker's distaste rather than the thing itself.
- 不愉快ふゆかいna-adjective, nounThe general, neutral choice for 'unpleasant': experiences, remarks, or treatment that displease you or make you uncomfortable. When unsure which word fits, this is the safe default.
- 気持ち悪いきもちわるいi-adjectiveFor 'unpleasant' meaning revolting or gross — something that literally or figuratively turns your stomach or makes your skin crawl. Stronger and more visceral than mere displeasure.
- i-adjectiveReally means bad-tasting or unpalatable; choose it when 'unpleasant' refers to food or drink that tastes bad. It is seldom the word you want for unpleasant experiences or feelings generally.
Use 不愉快 for unpleasantness in general, 「いやらしい」 for nasty or off-putting things, 「苦々しい」 for bitter distaste at conduct, 「気持ち悪い」 for visceral revulsion, and 「まずい」 only for bad-tasting food.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- いやらしいunpleasant
- 苦々しいにがにがしいunpleasant
- 不愉快ふゆかいunpleasant
- 気持ち悪いきもちわるいunpleasant
- まずいbad(-tasting)
- 気まずいきまずいunpleasant
- 気味悪いきみわるいunpleasant
- 胸悪むねわるunpleasant
- いずいunpleasant
- 気持ちが悪いきもちがわるいunpleasant
- えずくろしいunpleasant
- 疎ましいうとましいdisagreeable
- 住みにくいすみにくいinconvenient (residence)
- 気障りきざわりdisagreeable
- 嫌みたらしいいやみたらしいdisagreeable
- 嫌みったらしいいやみったらしいdisagreeable
- 厭わしいいとわしいdetestable
- いけ好かないいけすかないnasty
- いやunpleasant
- 苦しいくるしいhard to do
See also
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