Translation guide
The concept of 'bad luck' in Japanese can be expressed through nouns describing misfortune, adjectives for unlucky situations, and set phrases. The best choice depends on whether you're talking about a general state, a specific unlucky event, or a superstitious sense of luck.
Expressing the idea of bad luck as a general concept or state of misfortune.
The most direct and common word for 'bad luck' or 'misfortune'. It can be used for both general bad luck and specific unlucky events.
He had the bad luck to be in an accident.
Means 'unhappiness' or 'misfortune'. Often implies a deeper, more serious or prolonged state of bad luck or tragedy.
Refers to 'misfortune' or 'calamity', often with a superstitious or traditional nuance, like a 'bad year' or 'evil influence'. Commonly used in set phrases.
Describing a person, situation, or event as unlucky.
Referring to a specific unlucky incident or piece of bad luck.
Can also refer to a specific instance of bad luck, often with にも (unluckily).
Expressing bad luck in a superstitious sense, like an omen or jinx.
Means 'unlucky' or 'of bad omen' in a superstitious context. Used for things believed to bring bad luck.
Expressing a desire for someone to have bad luck, or a curse.
Means 'to curse' someone, wishing them harm or bad luck. Strong and serious.
不運 is a noun meaning 'bad luck' or 'misfortune', while 運が悪い is an adjective phrase meaning 'unlucky'. Use 不運 when talking about the concept or a specific unlucky event, and 運が悪い to describe a person or situation as unlucky.
Avoid directly translating 'bad luck' as 悪い運. While understandable, it's not natural Japanese. Use 不運 or 運が悪い instead.
It's just bad luck.
I've been having a streak of bad luck.
彼の人生は不幸の連続だった。
His life was a series of misfortunes.
Be careful during your unlucky year.
I'm having bad luck today.
Unluckily, the train was delayed.
The na-adjective form of 不運. Slightly more formal or written than 運が悪い.
That was an unlucky event.
A casual, spoken phrase meaning 'out of luck' or 'having no luck'. Often used about oneself.
I'm really out of luck today.
I had the bad luck to drop my wallet.
Means 'calamity' or 'misfortune', often used for an unexpected bad event or accident.
That was a real piece of bad luck.
They say it's bad luck to whistle at night.
Means 'ominous' or 'ill-omened'. More formal and often used for signs or feelings of impending bad luck.
I have a feeling of impending bad luck.
I'll curse him (wish bad luck on him).
A 'curse' or 'divine punishment' bringing bad luck, often from a spirit or god. Used in supernatural contexts.
That's a curse (bad luck) from the gods.
I've had nothing but bad luck lately.