Translation guide
Describing someone who lacks the ability or skill to do their job or task properly. Japanese has many nuanced terms ranging from blunt insults to softer, indirect expressions.
To say someone is generally incompetent, useless, or incapable.
A direct and common word for 'incompetent person'. Can be used as a noun or adjective. Often used in workplace contexts.
彼は無能だ。
He is incompetent.
あんな無能な社員は初めて見た。
I've never seen such an incompetent employee.
Literally 'useless person'. Stronger and more insulting than 無能. Implies the person is a burden.
Can be very offensive. Use with care.
お前は本当に役立たずだな。
You are really useless.
A more formal or literary term for an incompetent person. Less common in daily speech.
彼は無能者として会社を追われた。
He was driven out of the company as an incompetent.
To describe someone who is unskilled, clumsy, or bad at something.
Means 'unskillful' or 'poor at'. Used for specific tasks. Can be softened with ちょっと.
彼は運転が下手だ。
He is a bad driver.
私は料理が下手です。
I'm not good at cooking.
Clumsy, awkward, lacking dexterity. Can refer to physical or social clumsiness.
A very casual and blunt way to say 'terrible at something'. Stronger than 下手.
Rude; avoid in polite conversation.
To say someone is unfit for their job or position.
As above, but specifically in a professional context. Often used with 上司 (boss) or 社員 (employee).
うちの上司は無能で困る。
Our boss is incompetent and it's a problem.
Irresponsible. Often implies incompetence through lack of responsibility.
Literally 'cannot do the job'. A common, indirect way to say someone is incompetent at work.
彼は仕事ができないから、チームに迷惑をかけている。
He can't do his job, so he's causing trouble for the team.
To call someone a fool or idiot, often implying incompetence.
Means 'fool' or 'idiot'. Very common, can be used jokingly or seriously.
Can be offensive; use with close friends or in anger.
そんな簡単なこともできないなんて、馬鹿じゃないの？
You can't even do something that simple? Are you stupid?
Kansai dialect for 'fool'. Similar to 馬鹿 but regionally flavored.
あほか、お前は。
Are you an idiot?
To express that someone is completely worthless or a waste of space.
Literally 'trash' or 'scum'. A very strong insult for a worthless person.
Extremely offensive. Avoid unless you intend to deeply insult.
あいつは人間のくずだ。
He is scum of the earth.
Literally 'garbage'. Similar to くず, used to dehumanize.
Extremely offensive.
Japanese has many strong insults, but they are less commonly used in daily life compared to some Western cultures. Using words like くず or 役立たず can severely damage relationships. It's often safer to use indirect expressions like 仕事ができない or ちょっと下手.
彼はちょっと仕事が遅いですね。
He is a bit slow at work, isn't he?
無能 implies a fundamental lack of ability, often in a professional or serious context. 下手 is for specific skills and is less harsh. You can be 下手 at cooking but not necessarily 無能 as a person.
彼は料理が下手だが、仕事はできる。
He is bad at cooking, but he is competent at work.
He is clumsy and often breaks things.
あいつの歌、へたくそだよ。
His singing is terrible.
あの政治家は無責任だ。
That politician is irresponsible.
You are garbage.