Translation guide
The English word "bad" covers a wide range of negative qualities. In Japanese, different words are used depending on what is bad: poor quality, lack of skill, unfavorable situations, moral wrongness, spoiled food, harmful effects, and more. This guide breaks down the main meanings and their natural Japanese equivalents.
bad weather
bad at cooking
gone bad (food)
Describing something that is not good in quality, performance, or condition.
The most general word for 'bad'. Can be used for quality, condition, weather, luck, etc.
This restaurant has bad service.
The weather is bad today, isn't it?
Emphasizes that something is terrible or awful, stronger than 悪い.
This movie is really bad.
Means 'no good', 'unacceptable', or 'not up to standard'. Often used in casual speech.
This smartphone is no good anymore.
Describing someone who is not good at doing something.
The standard word for being unskillful or poor at something. Often used with が.
I am bad at cooking.
Means 'not good at' but often implies a personal dislike or lack of confidence, not just lack of skill.
I'm bad at math (and I don't like it).
A very casual and somewhat rude way to say someone is terrible at something.
That guy is a terrible driver.
Describing a situation, outcome, or condition that is not good or desirable.
Again, the general word. Can be used for bad timing, bad luck, bad influence, etc.
That's bad news.
The timing was bad.
Means 'bad' in the sense of being awkward, inconvenient, or problematic.
Things have gotten bad (we're in trouble).
Specifically means 'inconvenient' or 'bad timing' for someone's schedule.
Tomorrow is bad for me (I'm not available).
Describing a person, action, or behavior that is morally bad.
Can be used for moral badness, though often softened in direct accusations.
Lying is a bad thing.
Means 'malicious' or 'vicious', used for bad behavior or quality with intent to harm.
a bad (malicious) fraud
Means 'evil' or 'wicked', a strong word for profound moral badness.
an evil plan
Describing food that has gone bad and is no longer edible.
Describing something that is bad for one's health or well-being.
Describing a bad physical condition or feeling sick.
Expressing that one feels bad about something they did.
When saying someone is bad at something, do not use 悪い (warui). Use 下手 (heta) or 苦手 (nigate). Saying 彼は英語が悪い (kare wa eigo ga warui) is unnatural; it sounds like his English is morally wrong or of poor quality, not that he lacks skill.
下手 (heta) is a straightforward statement of low skill. 苦手 (nigate) implies a personal difficulty or dislike, and is often softer. You can be 苦手 at something even if you are objectively okay at it, just because you don't like it.
In casual speech, just saying 悪い (warui) can mean 'my bad' or 'sorry'. It's very informal and mostly used by men.