Translation guide
How to express that something is unfinished, partial, or lacking in Japanese.
Describing a task, object, or process that is not yet complete.
The most direct equivalent for 'incomplete', used for projects, works, or things that are not yet finished.
この絵はまだ未完成です。
This painting is still incomplete.
A natural, conversational way to say something is not yet finished.
レポートはまだ終わっていない。
The report is still incomplete.
Emphasizes imperfection or deficiency, often used for systems, data, or conditions.
データが不完全です。
The data is incomplete.
Describing something that is missing elements or is only a part of a whole.
Used when something is not whole or lacks necessary parts.
不完全な情報では判断できない。
We can't decide with incomplete information.
Literally 'a part is missing', used for physical objects or sets.
このパズルは一部が欠けている。
This puzzle is incomplete.
Referring to a collection, series, or set that is not fully gathered.
Commonly used for sets, collections, or when all items are not present.
切手がまだ揃っていない。
The stamp collection is still incomplete.
Can be used for collections, but more often for works in progress.
このシリーズは未完成のままだ。
This series remains incomplete.
Used in academic, technical, or formal contexts to describe incomplete data, theories, or processes.
Standard formal term for incomplete, often used in technical writing.
この理論は不完全である。
This theory is incomplete.
Used for unfinished literary or artistic works, often seen in bibliographies.
未完成 (mikansei) focuses on the state of not being finished, often implying it is still in progress. 不完全 (fukanzen) emphasizes a lack of completeness or perfection, often implying a flaw or deficiency. Use 未完成 for projects and creative works, and 不完全 for data, systems, or conditions.
In casual speech, directly translating 'incomplete' as 未完成 or 不完全 can sound stiff. Often, it's more natural to use phrases like まだ終わっていない (not yet finished) or 揃っていない (not all present) depending on context.
The novel remained incomplete.