Translation guide
Describes someone who is inattentive, sloppy, or prone to mistakes. Japanese has several words that capture different nuances of carelessness, from general clumsiness to reckless negligence.
To describe a person who often makes mistakes due to lack of attention or care, in everyday situations.
A common, neutral way to say 'careless person'. It implies a tendency to make small mistakes or be forgetful.
He's a careless person, so he often forgets his keys.
Refers to someone who is absent-minded or makes careless mistakes. Often used in a light-hearted, self-deprecating way.
I'm a careless person and often take the wrong train.
Literally 'inattentive person'. Slightly more formal, often used when carelessness leads to accidents or problems.
A careless person caused the accident.
To describe someone whose carelessness is severe, showing a lack of responsibility or regard for consequences.
To describe someone who is physically careless, often dropping things or bumping into objects.
To describe someone who does a poor job due to lack of thoroughness or attention to detail.
Means a person who is half-hearted, sloppy, or unreliable. Often used for work or promises.
Documents made by a careless person are full of mistakes.
Describes a person who is lazy and sloppy, often neglecting details or tidiness. More about habitual untidiness than momentary carelessness.
そそっかしい describes a personality trait of being scatterbrained. うっかり refers to a momentary lapse or absent-minded mistake. 不注意 is more formal and often used in contexts of negligence leading to accidents.
Careless him forgot his phone again.
I carelessly missed my stop.
Accidents due to carelessness are increasing.
The direct translation '不注意な人' is grammatically correct but can sound stiff or accusatory in casual conversation. Use more natural terms like そそっかしい人 or うっかり者 for everyday carelessness.
I can't entrust work to a careless (irresponsible) person.
Describes a scatterbrained, careless person who makes silly mistakes. Very casual and often endearing.
My mom is a careless person and often mixes up sugar and salt.
A careless (sloppy) person doesn't tidy their room.