Translation guide
Expresses a harvest that is small, of low quality, or has failed. Japanese uses different terms depending on whether the yield is low, the quality is bad, or the crop has completely failed.
The amount harvested is less than usual or expected.
General term for a poor harvest or crop failure due to weather or other conditions. Commonly used in news and conversation.
The harvested crops are of low quality, damaged, or not marketable.
Literally 'crops of bad quality'. Used when the produce itself is inferior.
今年のトマトは質の悪い作物ばかりだ。
This year's tomatoes are all poor quality crops.
No usable harvest at all.
Also used for total failure. Context clarifies severity.
不作 is a general term for a poor harvest, while 凶作 implies a severe failure, often leading to food shortages. In everyday conversation, 不作 is more common.
不作の年は農家の収入が減る。
In a year of poor harvest, farmers' income decreases.
江戸時代には凶作で飢饉が起きた。
In the Edo period, famines occurred due to severe crop failures.
今年は天候不順で不作だった。
This year we had a poor harvest due to bad weather.
A very bad harvest, often implying serious crop failure or famine. Stronger than 不作.
冷夏のため米が凶作になった。
The rice crop failed because of the cool summer.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'the harvest is small'. Natural in everyday speech.
今年は収穫が少なくて困っている。
We're in trouble because the harvest is small this year.
Means 'the result is bad' and can be used for crops that didn't turn out well.
日照不足で野菜の出来が悪い。
The vegetables are poor quality due to lack of sunlight.
長雨で野菜が全滅し、不作に終わった。
The vegetables were wiped out by the long rain, resulting in a total crop failure.
Colloquial way to say 'zero harvest'.
台風で田んぼがやられて、今年は収穫ゼロだ。
The typhoon destroyed the rice paddies, so this year's harvest is zero.