Translation guide
The English word "delinquent" can refer to a person (especially a young person) who commits minor crimes or misbehaves, or to behavior that is negligent or overdue. In Japanese, the most common equivalent for a young offender is 不良, but other terms exist for different contexts.
Referring to a juvenile delinquent or a young troublemaker, often in school or street contexts.
The most common and general term for a juvenile delinquent or young troublemaker. Often used in compounds like 不良少年 (delinquent boy) or 不良少女 (delinquent girl).
Describing a person or entity that fails to fulfill an obligation, such as paying taxes or debts.
When describing a person as 'delinquent' in the sense of negligent, using 不良 directly would be unnatural. 不良 primarily means juvenile delinquent. For negligent behavior, use 怠慢な or rephrase with a verb like 怠る (to neglect).
彼は高校の時、不良だった。
He was a delinquent in high school.
That group is a bunch of delinquents.
A more formal or legal term for a juvenile delinquent, often used in official contexts like police reports or news.
Rehabilitation programs for juvenile delinquents are important.
A slang term for a rebellious youth, often associated with a specific subculture (pompadour hairstyles, modified school uniforms, etc.). More specific than 不良 and carries a strong cultural image.
Those delinquents are always hanging around.
Specifically a delinquent boy. Slightly more explicit than 不良 alone, but less common in casual speech.
There's a delinquent boy in the neighborhood.
A person who is delinquent on payments, especially taxes or rent. Commonly used in official contexts.
There are penalties for tax delinquents.
An adjective meaning negligent or remiss, used to describe a person's attitude or behavior. Can be used in phrases like 怠慢な態度 (delinquent attitude).
His delinquent work habits are a problem.
A phrase meaning to neglect one's duties or obligations. More formal and less common in everyday speech.
He was delinquent in his duty to pay taxes.