Translation guide
Describes handwriting, print, or text that is impossible or very difficult to read due to poor formation, damage, or obscurity.
The learner wants to say that someone's handwriting, a note, or printed text is impossible to decipher.
The most common and natural way to say something is illegible. Literally 'cannot read'. Works for handwriting, print, or any text.
His handwriting is illegible.
I can't read this note.
More formal/literary. Means 'cannot decipher' or 'cannot make out'. Often used for old documents or bad handwriting.
The ancient document is illegible.
Very formal, often used in technical contexts like cryptography or severely damaged texts. Means 'undecipherable'.
The inscription is illegible.
The learner wants to describe text that is illegible because it's faded, smudged, covered, or too small.
Specifically for text that has faded or blurred. 'Kasureru' means to become faint or blurred.
The print is faded and illegible.
For text that has bled or smudged, e.g., from water. 'Nijimu' means to blur or run.
The ink has smudged and is illegible.
When text is illegible because it's too small.
The learner wants an adjective meaning 'illegible' to describe handwriting or a document.
There is no single common Japanese adjective that perfectly matches 'illegible'. Using a phrase like 読めない (cannot read) is much more natural than trying to use a rare word like 難読 (nandoku).
The text is too small to read.