Translation guide
The English word 'negligent' describes a failure to take proper care, often leading to harm or mistakes. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adjectives, verbs, and set phrases that emphasize carelessness, neglect of duty, or lack of attention. The most common and versatile equivalent is 不注意な (fuchūi na), which broadly covers carelessness. For legal or formal contexts, 過失 (kashitsu) is used as a noun. Other options convey nuances like laziness, oversight, or willful neglect.
He caused an accident due to negligent driving.
There are too many careless mistakes.
Describes a momentary lapse of attention or an unintentional oversight. Often used for forgetfulness or absent-mindedness.
I negligently missed my stop on the train.
Implies negligence due to laziness or neglect of duty. Stronger than 不注意, often used in work or responsibility contexts.
His boss got angry at his negligent work attitude.
Used in legal, business, or official contexts to indicate a breach of duty or failure to exercise reasonable care.
A noun meaning 'negligence' or 'fault' in legal and formal settings. Often used in phrases like 過失を犯す (commit negligence).
The accident was due to the driver's negligence.
A formal legal term meaning 'breach of duty of care'. Used in court rulings or legal documents.
Focuses on failing to take care of something or someone one is responsible for, often over a period of time.
A verb meaning 'to neglect' or 'to be remiss' in performing a duty. Often used in the form 〜を怠る.
He was negligent in his attention and caused a major accident.
Means to treat something as unimportant and neglect it. Implies a lack of proper care or attention.
Describes extreme carelessness that shows a disregard for consequences, often used in serious contexts.
不注意 (fuchūi) is general carelessness, often unintentional. 怠慢 (taiman) implies laziness or neglect of duty, carrying a moral judgment. 過失 (kashitsu) is a formal/legal term for negligence, focusing on the result or fault rather than the attitude.
While 不注意な is common, Japanese often uses verbs like 怠る (okotaru) or phrases like 注意を怠る to express the concept naturally. Using a noun like 過失 may be more appropriate in formal contexts.
会社は過失を認めて謝罪した。
The company admitted negligence and apologized.
The doctor's negligence (breach of duty of care) was questioned.
安全確認を怠ってはいけない。
You must not be negligent in safety checks.
He neglects his work and just plays around.
His reckless driving was charged as negligent manslaughter.