不正|ふせいfusei[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. na-adjective, no-adjectiveinjustice; unfairness; wrongdoing; iniquity; impropriety; irregularity; dishonesty; illegality; fraud
    不正ふせいには抗議こうぎせざるをえない。↗
    You must speak out against injustice.
Conjugation
Plain form不正(ふせい)
Polite (desu)不正です(ふせいです)
Negative (dewa nai)不正ではない(ふせいではない)
polite (dewa arimasen)不正ではありません(ふせいではありません)
Past (datta)不正だった(ふせいだった)
Past negative (dewa nakatta)不正ではなかった(ふせいではなかった)
Te form (de)不正で(ふせいで)
Adverbial (ni)不正に(ふせいに)
Conditional (nara)不正なら(ふせいなら)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym不当ふとうNeutralStresses that something is unreasonable or unjustified, as in 「不当な扱い」 or 「不当解雇」. 不正 centers on rule-breaking and fraud; 不当 on lack of reason.
  • Synonym不公平ふこうへいNeutralRefers to judgments, handling, or treatment that favor one side, as in 「不公平な判定」 or 「不公平な扱い」. The stress is on partiality, not on fraud.
  • SynonymアンフェアNeutralA katakana loanword for unfair or underhanded behavior, as in 「アンフェアなやり方」.
  • Synonym不義ふぎWrittenAn old-fashioned word for betraying morality and honor; in former usage it specifically meant adultery.
  • Related不平等ふびょうどうNeutralCovers unequal status or rights, as in 「男女の不平等」. It points to inequality at the level of social systems rather than individual wrongdoing.
  • Related非道ひどうWrittenA written-style word for inhuman, ruthless conduct, as in 「非道な行い」. The degree is extreme — cruelty far beyond ordinary unfairness.
  • Related不法ふほうNeutralIllegal or unlawful, as in 「不法投棄」 and 「不法滞在」. The emphasis is on violating the law, while 「不正」 covers cheating and wrongdoing more broadly.
  • RelatedいかがわしいNeutralDescribes something suspicious, disreputable, or lewd, as in 「如何わしい店」. It carries a tone of suspicion and disdain.
  • Related不届きふとどきNeutralRefers to disgraceful, rule-defying behavior, as in 「不届き者」. It carries a scolding tone and now sounds dated.
  • Related偏頗へんぱWrittenA written-style word for partiality and unfairness; rarely used in modern Japanese.
  • RelatedえこひいきNeutralFavoritism — favoring people one likes, as in 「依怙贔屓する」. Common in speech as well.
  • Related不誠実ふせいじつNeutralDishonesty or insincerity, as in 「不誠実な対応」. The focus is on a person's attitude — lacking honesty or good faith — rather than a specific act.
  • Related失当しっとうWrittenA written-style word for improper or unjustified handling of matters; rarely used in modern Japanese.
  • Related不道徳ふどうとくNeutralImmoral conduct, as in 「不道徳な行為」. The focus is the ethical dimension — violating morality — rather than rules or law.
  • Related不徳義ふとくぎWrittenA written-style word for conduct lacking morals or honor; rarely used in modern Japanese.
  • Antonym正義せいぎNeutralAntonym: justice and righteousness; the direct opposite of 「不正」.
  • Antonym公正こうせいNeutralAntonym: fairness and impartiality; stands opposite the cheating-and-fraud sense of 「不正」.
  • Antonym正当せいとうNeutralAntonym: legitimate and justifiable; the opposite of 「不正」.

Use 「不正」 for rule-breaking, fraud, and dishonest practices. Say 「不当」 for what is unreasonable or unjustified, 「不法」 for what breaks the law, 「不公平」 for biased treatment or judgments, 「不平等」 for unequal status or rights, and 「依怙贔屓」 for favoritism. 「不誠実」 targets insincere attitudes, 「不道徳」 ethical violations, 「非道」 extreme cruelty, and 「如何わしい」 shady or lewd things. 「偏頗」「失当」「不徳義」「不義」 are written-style and rare today. Antonyms: 「正義」「公正」「正当」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 正ただしくないこと。規範きはんから逸脱いつだつすること。
  2. 法的ほうてき、倫理的りんりてきに正ただしくない様さま。
  3. 形かたちが整ととのっていない様よう。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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