Translation guide
A person who is clumsy, incompetent, or habitually makes mistakes, especially in practical tasks.
Describing someone who is generally bad at doing things, often making mistakes or causing trouble due to lack of skill.
Literally 'clumsy person'. This is the most common and natural way to describe someone who is physically or generally inept.
彼は不器用な人で、よく物を壊す。
He's a bungler; he often breaks things.
Refers to someone who makes careless mistakes or blunders. 'へま' means a blunder or slip-up.
Focusing on a person who botches a particular job or activity, often due to carelessness or lack of skill.
Literally 'failure person'. Used for someone who fails at a task or endeavor. Can be harsh.
彼はまた失敗者だ。今回のプロジェクトもダメにした。
He's a bungler again; he messed up this project too.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'bungler'. Instead, describe the person's clumsiness or incompetence using adjectives like 不器用な or へまな, or use phrases like 失敗ばかりする人 (a person who always fails).
不器用 (bukiyou) is the standard word for clumsiness, often physical. へま (hema) implies a careless blunder. ドジ (doji) is casual and suggests a silly mistake. Choose based on the nuance and formality.
That bungler ruined the plan.
Casual term for someone who is clumsy or makes silly mistakes. 'ドジ' implies a foolish error.
彼女はドジな人で、いつも転んでばかりいる。
She's a bungler, always tripping over.
Means 'incompetent person'. Stronger and more negative; implies a lack of ability rather than just clumsiness.
彼は無能な人だから、重要な仕事は任せられない。
He's a bungler, so I can't trust him with important work.
Means 'person who messes up doing something'. Emphasizes the act of botching.
彼はいつもやりそこなう人で、料理を作ると台所が大変なことになる。
He's a bungler; when he cooks, the kitchen becomes a disaster.
Slang for a bungler or someone who is bad at something. Often used in a self-deprecating or teasing way.
俺はへぼだから、ゲームでいつも負ける。
I'm a bungler, so I always lose at games.
ドジってコーヒーをこぼした。
I goofed and spilled the coffee.
ドジってコーヒーをこぼした。
I goofed and spilled the coffee.