Translation guide
To do something badly or ruin it through clumsiness or carelessness.
The speaker wants to say they did something poorly, made a mistake, or ruined a task through their own fault.
The most general and neutral way to say 'fail' or 'make a mistake'. Can be used for anything from small errors to big failures.
プレゼンで失敗してしまった。
I botched the presentation.
料理に失敗した。
I messed up the cooking.
The speaker wants to emphasize that their poor execution spoiled the result, often beyond repair.
Means to ruin or spoil something completely. Stronger than just failing; implies the result is worthless.
彼のミスで計画が台無しになった。
His mistake botched the whole plan.
The speaker wants to describe a physical task done awkwardly or unskillfully, like a repair or craft.
Simply means to do something poorly or unskillfully. '下手' (へた) is the key word for lack of skill.
ペンキ塗りを下手にやってしまった。
I botched the paint job.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'botch'. Choose based on whether you mean 'fail', 'ruin', or 'do clumsily'.
「ボッチする」とは言わない。
We don't say 'botchi suru'.
Casual and slightly self-deprecating. Often used when you've made a blunder or messed up something important.
試験をしくじった。
I botched the exam.
Very casual, implies you did something stupid or made a big mistake. Often used among friends.
またやらかしちゃった。
I botched it again.
Means to make a blunder or careless mistake. Slightly old-fashioned but still understood.
大事な場面でへまをした。
I botched it at a crucial moment.
The rain botched our picnic.
Literally 'smash' or 'wreck'. Very strong and colloquial; used when someone ruins a plan, mood, or event.
彼の一言で雰囲気をぶち壊した。
He botched the atmosphere with one remark.
Means to make a mess of something, to ruin it thoroughly. Casual and emphatic.
彼は仕事をめちゃくちゃにした。
He botched the job completely.
Emphasizes clumsiness or lack of dexterity. '不器用' means 'clumsy'.
彼は不器用に修理しようとして、もっと壊した。
He tried to fix it clumsily and botched it even more.