Translation guide
The English word "clumsy" covers physical awkwardness, social tactlessness, and poor design. Japanese uses different words for each nuance.
Describing a person who often drops things, trips, or moves awkwardly.
The most common word for physical clumsiness. Can also describe being bad with one's hands.
私は不器用で、よく物を落とします。
I'm clumsy and often drop things.
彼は不器用だから、細かい作業が苦手だ。
He's clumsy, so he's not good at detailed work.
A casual noun/na-adjective for a blunder or a clumsy mistake. Often used for someone who messes up.
またやっちゃった。私って本当にドジだな。
I did it again. I'm really clumsy.
Literally "motor nerves are dull". Used to describe someone who is physically awkward or unathletic.
彼女は運動神経が鈍くて、よく転ぶ。
She's clumsy and often falls over.
Describes movements that are awkward, stiff, or lacking smoothness. More about the quality of motion than making mistakes.
彼のダンスはまだぎこちない。
His dancing is still clumsy.
Describing someone who says or does inappropriate things without meaning to offend.
Also used for social clumsiness, meaning tactless or awkward in relationships.
彼は不器用な言い方で彼女を怒らせた。
He upset her with his clumsy way of speaking.
Insensitive, tactless. Stronger than 不器用, implying a lack of consideration.
Lacking tact or thoughtfulness; not good at reading the situation.
彼は気が利かないから、デートで失敗した。
He's clumsy/tactless, so he messed up on the date.
Describing an object that is hard to handle or use because of its shape or design.
Clumsy-looking, misshapen, ungainly. Often for physical appearance of objects.
このバッグは不格好で持ちにくい。
This bag is clumsy and hard to carry.
Hard to handle or manage. Focuses on usability rather than appearance.
この道具は大きくて扱いにくい。
This tool is big and clumsy to use.
Clumsy, unsightly, awkward. Can describe a clumsy appearance or a shameful situation.
Describing language that is awkward, unnatural, or poorly phrased.
Awkward, unnatural (for speech or writing).
彼の日本語はまだぎこちない。
His Japanese is still clumsy.
Unnatural, awkward. Commonly used for language that doesn't sound right.
Unskillful, poor. Can describe clumsy language ability.
不器用 is the general word for clumsiness, covering both physical and social awkwardness. ドジ is casual and refers to making silly mistakes. ぎこちない describes stiff, unnatural movements or speech, not necessarily mistake-prone.
不器用 is only for people (or their actions). For clumsy objects, use 不格好 or 扱いにくい.
そんなことを言うなんて、無神経だ。
Saying something like that is clumsy/tactless.
It's a clumsily shaped chair.
その言い回しは不自然だ。
That phrasing is clumsy.
I spoke in clumsy English.