Translation guide
Describes something believed to be a sign of bad luck or misfortune. In Japanese, this is often expressed through adjectives and set phrases related to unlucky signs.
To say that something is a bad omen or brings bad luck.
The most direct and common adjective meaning 'ominous' or 'ill-omened'. Used for events, dreams, signs, etc.
I had an ill-omened dream.
I have an ill-omened feeling.
A very common phrase meaning 'unlucky' or 'of bad omen'. Used for objects, actions, or situations believed to bring bad luck.
They say cutting your nails at night is ill-omened.
This number is considered ill-omened.
A more formal or literary term meaning 'ill-omened' or 'portentous'. Often used in written contexts.
Ill-omened clouds covered the sky.
Means 'abominable' or 'ominous', often with a sense of something cursed or deeply unlucky. Stronger and more emotional than 不吉な.
Ill-omened events continued to happen.
To label something as a harbinger of bad luck.
不吉な is a general adjective for 'ominous' and can describe feelings, dreams, or atmospheres. 縁起が悪い is specifically about superstitions and things believed to cause bad luck, like breaking a mirror or the number 4. Use 縁起が悪い when talking about cultural or personal superstitions.
An ill-omened silence filled the room.
Breaking a mirror is ill-omened.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'ill-omened' in all contexts. Using 不吉な or 縁起が悪い will cover most situations. Avoid trying to directly translate 'ill-omened' as a compound word; it will sound unnatural.
The ill-omened ship never returned.
Seeing a crow in the morning is considered ill-omened here.
それは戦争の凶兆だった。
It was an ill-omened sign of war.