Translation guide
The state of not being able to exist or work together. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and verbs that describe mismatches, contradictions, or lack of harmony.
Describing that two things, ideas, or systems cannot coexist or work together.
Literally 'there is no compatibility'. Used for technical or functional incompatibility, like software or devices.
このソフトウェアは古いOSと互換性がありません。
This software is incompatible with older operating systems.
Means 'cannot coexist' or 'are mutually exclusive'. Used for ideas, principles, or personalities that clash.
彼らの意見は相容れない。
Their opinions are incompatible.
Means 'to contradict'. Used when statements, facts, or actions are logically incompatible.
彼の説明は矛盾している。
His explanation is contradictory (incompatible with the facts).
Means 'cannot coexist' or 'cannot be achieved simultaneously'. Often used for goals, lifestyles, or conditions.
仕事と家庭の両立は難しい。
Balancing work and family is difficult (they are often incompatible).
A formal noun meaning 'incompatibility' or 'non-conformity'. Used in technical or legal contexts.
この部品は不適合と判定された。
This part was judged to be incompatible.
Describing that two people do not get along or are not suited for each other.
The most common way to say two people are incompatible. Literally 'compatibility is bad'. Used for friends, partners, colleagues.
彼とは相性が悪いみたい。
I seem to be incompatible with him.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'don't get along' or 'don't see eye to eye'. Slightly more casual than 相性が悪い.
あの人とはどうも馬が合わない。
I just don't get along with that person.
Literally 'personalities don't match'. A straightforward way to say you are incompatible due to personality differences.
性格が合わないから別れた。
We broke up because we were incompatible.
Specifically describing that a couple is not well-suited for a long-term relationship.
Means 'values don't match'. A common reason given for breakups or divorce, implying fundamental incompatibility.
価値観が合わなくて離婚した。
We got divorced because our values were incompatible.
Means 'not suited for marriage'. Can refer to a person or a couple.
彼は結婚に向いていないと思う。
I think he is incompatible with marriage.
Describing that medical factors prevent a procedure or cause a reaction.
Medical term for blood type incompatibility.
血液型不適合のため輸血できない。
Blood transfusion is not possible due to blood type incompatibility.
All three mean 'incompatible' for people. 相性が悪い is the most general and can be used in any situation. 馬が合わない and そりが合わない are more colloquial and imply a gut feeling of not getting along. そりが合わない often suggests a fundamental personality clash.
彼とは相性が悪い。
I'm not compatible with him. (neutral)
彼とは馬が合わない。
I just don't click with him. (casual)
彼とはそりが合わない。
We're fundamentally incompatible. (casual, stronger)
The English word 'incompatibility' is often translated directly as 不適合 or 非互換性, but these sound technical and are rarely used in everyday conversation. For most situations, use the phrases listed above.
このアプリは非互換性があります。
This app has incompatibility. (unnatural, too technical)
このアプリは互換性がありません。
This app is not compatible. (natural)
Similar to 馬が合わない, meaning personalities clash. Often used for people who are fundamentally different.
彼とはそりが合わない。
He and I are incompatible.
Means 'rejection reaction', used for organ transplant incompatibility.
移植後に拒絶反応が起きた。
A rejection reaction occurred after the transplant (due to incompatibility).