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.
This painting is still incomplete.
A natural, conversational way to say something is not yet finished.
The report is still incomplete.
Emphasizes imperfection or deficiency, often used for systems, data, or conditions.
The data is incomplete.
Describing something that is missing elements or is only a part of a whole.
Referring to a collection, series, or set that is not fully gathered.
Used in academic, technical, or formal contexts to describe incomplete data, theories, or processes.
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.
このシリーズは未完成のままだ。
This series remains incomplete.
The novel remained incomplete.