Translation guide
Describes something that suggests bad luck, an unfavorable outcome, or a negative omen. Japanese has several common words for this concept, ranging from everyday unlucky to formal or superstitious contexts.
To describe a situation, event, or sign that seems to bring bad luck or is considered unlucky.
The most direct and common translation for 'inauspicious'. Used for omens, dreams, dates, and general bad luck. Slightly formal or literary, but widely understood.
不吉な予感がする。
I have an inauspicious feeling.
彼は不吉な夢を見た。
He had an inauspicious dream.
A very common phrase meaning 'unlucky' or 'of bad omen', often used in everyday speech about superstitions, numbers, or actions.
13日の金曜日は縁起が悪いと言われている。
Friday the 13th is said to be inauspicious.
夜に爪を切ると縁起が悪い。
It's inauspicious to cut your nails at night.
Means 'misfortune' or 'bad luck' rather than specifically 'omen'. Used for unlucky events or people.
彼は不運な事故に遭った。
He had an inauspicious accident.
To refer to something that is considered a bad omen in folklore, fortune-telling, or traditional beliefs.
Used in fortune-telling or omens to mean 'bad luck' or 'inauspicious'. Often appears in compounds like 凶夢 (bad dream) or on fortune slips.
おみくじで凶が出た。
I drew an inauspicious fortune.
Refers to an inauspicious or scandalous event, often used for incidents that bring bad reputation or misfortune.
不祥事が続いている。
Inauspicious incidents keep happening.
Means 'abominable' or 'ominous', with a strong negative emotional tone. Used for things that evoke a sense of dread or bad omen.
To describe a beginning, sign, or prospect that suggests a negative outcome.
Means 'poor condition' or 'slump', often used for an inauspicious start or performance.
チームは不調なスタートを切った。
The team got off to an inauspicious start.
Literally 'dark', but can metaphorically mean 'gloomy' or 'inauspicious' for prospects.
不吉 (fukitsu) is more formal and often used for premonitions or omens. 縁起が悪い (engi ga warui) is colloquial and refers to superstitions or things believed to bring bad luck. Use 縁起が悪い in daily conversation about unlucky actions or numbers.
While 不吉 is the direct translation, it can sound overly dramatic or literary in casual speech. For everyday unlucky situations, 縁起が悪い or 不運 are often more natural.
それは不吉な前兆だ。
That's an inauspicious sign.
雨の日の旅立ちは縁起が悪い気がした。
Starting the journey on a rainy day felt inauspicious.
忌まわしい記憶がよみがえる。
Inauspicious memories come back.
The outlook is inauspicious.