Translation guide
Describes someone (often a child) whose bad habits or behavior cannot be corrected or reformed. In Japanese, this is expressed through adjectives, set phrases, or descriptive verbs rather than a single direct equivalent.
To say someone is hopelessly bad or naughty and won't change, often used for children or playful troublemakers.
Literally 'cannot lay hands on', meaning uncontrollable or unmanageable. Commonly used for unruly children or situations.
That kid is truly incorrigible.
Means 'there's nothing to be done' or 'hopeless'. Used for people or situations that are beyond help.
He's an incorrigible liar.
Means 'beyond saving' or 'hopeless'. Stronger than どうしようもない, often used for moral failings.
His laziness is incorrigible.
The negative form of 直る (to be fixed/corrected). Simple and direct way to say a habit or person won't change.
His habit of being late is incorrigible.
Literally 'reinforced with steel wire', meaning dyed-in-the-wool or confirmed. Used for someone deeply set in their ways, often negative.
He's an incorrigible gambling addict.
To say a specific habit, flaw, or tendency is permanent and resistant to change.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'incorrigible'. Using a dictionary lookup like 矯正不能 (きょうせいふのう) is overly technical and rarely used in daily conversation. Stick to the natural phrases above.
手がつけられない emphasizes uncontrollable behavior (like a wild child), while どうしようもない is broader and can describe a hopeless person or situation. 救いようがない is stronger and implies moral judgment.