Translation guide
The English word "crude" covers a range of meanings from "unrefined" and "roughly made" to "vulgar" and "rudimentary." This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression based on the intended nuance.
Describing language, jokes, or behavior that is offensive, indecent, or lacking refinement in a social sense.
The most common and direct word for "crude" in the sense of vulgar, coarse, or indecent. Used for language, jokes, and behavior.
His joke was crude.
Please don't use crude language.
Specifically means obscene or lewd, often with a sexual connotation. Stronger than 下品.
The movie contains crude scenes.
Means explicit, blatant, or crude in the sense of being too direct or undisguised, especially about sexual matters.
I was surprised by his crude remark.
A literary or formal term for vulgar, coarse, or base. Less common in everyday speech.
His crude behavior is unacceptable.
Referring to materials like oil, sugar, or ore that have not been processed or purified.
Specifically means "crude oil." Use this for petroleum.
Crude oil prices are rising.
Means "crude sugar" or unrefined sugar.
A general pattern meaning "unprocessed" or "raw." Can be attached to various nouns.
crude ore
Means "coarse" or "rough" in texture or quality. Can sometimes translate "crude" for unrefined materials, but is less specific.
Describing something that is rudimentary, makeshift, or lacking sophistication in construction or design.
Means crude, shoddy, or cheaply made. Often implies poor quality or lack of care.
He lived in a crude hut.
The tool is crudely made.
Means rough, approximate, or crude in the sense of lacking precision or detail. Often used for estimates or methods.
Means simple, simplified, or makeshift. Can be used for crude devices or temporary setups.
Means primitive or crude in the sense of being at an early stage of development.
Describing a person or remark that is direct in a way that may offend, without necessarily being vulgar.
Means blunt, outspoken, or lacking tact. Implies a disregard for social niceties.
His crude way of speaking rubbed me the wrong way.
Also used here for being too direct or undisguised, not necessarily sexual.
Literally "too frank." Can describe a crude remark that is honest but insensitive.
下品 is the most general term for vulgarity or crudeness in language and behavior. 卑猥 specifically implies sexual obscenity and is stronger. 露骨 means explicit or blatant, and can be used for both sexual and non-sexual directness.
When talking about unrefined materials, do not use 下品 or other vulgarity-related words. Use specific terms like 原油 (crude oil) or patterns like 未加工の (unprocessed).
He made a crude joke.
Crude oil prices fluctuate daily.
They built a crude shelter from branches.
Crude sugar is unrefined sugar.
crude salt (coarse salt)
By a crude calculation, the cost is about one million yen.
We set up a crude toilet.
彼らは原始的な道具を使っていた。
They used crude tools.
Her crude criticism surprised everyone.
His overly frank opinions are sometimes crude.