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.
彼は不運にも事故に遭った。
He had the bad luck to be in an accident.
不運が続いている。
I've been having a streak of bad luck.
Means 'unhappiness' or 'misfortune'. Often implies a deeper, more serious or prolonged state of bad luck or tragedy.
彼の人生は不幸の連続だった。
His life was a series of misfortunes.
Refers to 'misfortune' or 'calamity', often with a superstitious or traditional nuance, like a 'bad year' or 'evil influence'. Commonly used in set phrases.
厄年には気をつけて。
Be careful during your unlucky year.
Describing a person, situation, or event as unlucky.
The most common way to say 'unlucky'. Literally 'luck is bad'. Used for both people and situations.
今日は運が悪い。
I'm having bad luck today.
運が悪いことに、電車が遅れた。
Unluckily, the train was delayed.
The na-adjective form of 不運. Slightly more formal or written than 運が悪い.
それは不運な出来事だった。
That was an unlucky event.
A casual, spoken phrase meaning 'out of luck' or 'having no luck'. Often used about oneself.
今日は本当についてない。
I'm really out of luck today.
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).
不運にも財布を落とした。
I had the bad luck to drop my wallet.
Means 'calamity' or 'misfortune', often used for an unexpected bad event or accident.
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.
夜に口笛を吹くと縁起が悪いと言われている。
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.
不吉な予感がする。
I have a feeling of impending 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.
彼を呪ってやる。
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.
それは神のたたりだ。
That's a curse (bad luck) from the gods.
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.
ただの不運だよ。
It's just bad luck.
最近ついてないことばかりだ。
I've had nothing but bad luck lately.
とんだ災難だった。
That was a real piece of bad luck.