へたくそ・下手くそ・下手糞hetakuso[4]odaka (tail-high)

1. na-adjective, noununskilled; clumsy; lousy; poor; awkward; shitty
   ヘタクソな人ひとは英訳えいやくしないでください。英訳えいやく依頼者いらいしゃからのお願ねがいです。↗

   Please don't do translations if you're crap at it. This is a plea from the English translation clients.

• Synonym下手へたNeutralNeutral word for being unskilled or poor at something; 「下手くそ」 is much harsher and more colloquial in tone.
• Synonym不得意ふとくいNeutralRefers to subjects or areas one is not good at; highlights one's own weak points without any insulting tone.
• Synonym不得手ふえてWrittenClose to 「不得意」: being unskilled at something, or disliking it; slightly more written and formal.
• Synonym拙劣せつれつWrittenWritten word for clumsy or botched; often evaluates methods or responses, as in 「拙劣な対応」.
• SynonymつたないWrittenWritten-style word for clumsy, poor-quality work; often used humbly about oneself, as in 「拙い文章ですが」.
• SynonymへぼCasualColloquial and contemptuous: a person with poor skills or a dud product; also crops that grow poorly.
• SynonymへっぽこCasualColloquial and mocking: low ability, useless; can also directly call such a person this.
• RelatedぎこちないNeutralDescribes stiff, unnatural movements or speech; stresses lack of smoothness, not poor skill.
• Related不器用ぶきようNeutralClumsy hands or poor dexterity, also social awkwardness; lacks the coarse punch of 「下手くそ」.
• Related無様ぶざまNeutralMeans unsightly or disgraceful; focuses on an embarrassing appearance, not directly judging skill.
• Antonym上手じょうずNeutralNeutral antonym: being good or skilled at something; can also mean a skilled person.
• AntonymうまいCasualColloquial antonym: doing something well or skillfully; also means food tastes good.

Use 「下手くそ」 to harshly insult poor skill or clumsiness, as in 「下手くそな字」. Say 「下手」 for neutral statements, 「拙い」 for humble self-deprecation, 「拙劣」 for written criticism; the opposite is 「上手」.

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

1. 極きわめてへたなこと。また、そのようなさま。そのような人ひと。