Translation guide
Describes something not useful or sensible in real situations, often because it is too idealistic, inefficient, or difficult to implement.
Describing an idea, plan, or object that is not effective or convenient in practice.
The most direct and common way to say 'impractical'. It literally means 'not practical'.
This design looks good, but it's impractical.
A more formal or technical term for 'impractical'. Often used in written contexts.
The proposal was judged to be impractical.
Means 'not realistic', often used when an idea is too idealistic or not feasible.
That plan is too expensive and impractical.
Specifically for objects or tools that are hard to use, implying impracticality in design.
This kitchen tool looks interesting, but it's impractical.
Describing a person, idea, or approach that is too focused on ideals and not on practical realities.
Describing methods or systems that waste time, effort, or resources.
実用的ではない is the everyday way to say 'impractical'. 非実用的 is more formal and often appears in written reports or technical evaluations.
This system is impractical.
This system is impractical (formal).
In English, you might say 'He is impractical' meaning he is not good at dealing with real-life matters. In Japanese, it's more natural to describe the specific trait, e.g., 彼は現実的な考え方ができない (He can't think realistically) or 彼は生活力がない (He lacks life skills).
Means 'unrealistic', often used for plans or expectations that are not grounded in reality.
That goal is impractical.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'armchair theory' or 'impractical theory'. Used for ideas that sound good in theory but don't work in practice.
His proposal is just an impractical theory.
This recipe is too impractical to make on a weekday.