Translation guide
Describing handwriting that is difficult to read, messy, or unattractive. Japanese has several common expressions ranging from neutral to critical.
Describing handwriting that is hard to read or looks sloppy.
The most common and direct way to say someone's handwriting is messy or ugly. '汚い' literally means 'dirty', but here it refers to untidy writing.
彼の字は汚くて読めない。
His handwriting is so messy I can't read it.
Describing writing that looks like a scrawl or is impossible to decipher.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'handwriting like worm trails'. Very common and vivid way to describe illegible scrawls.
彼のノートはミミズの這ったような字でいっぱいだ。
His notebook is full of handwriting that looks like worm trails.
Describing handwriting that looks like a child's or lacks sophistication.
Means 'childish handwriting'. Often used self-deprecatingly or to describe immature-looking writing.
私の字は子供っぽいと言われた。
I was told my handwriting looks childish.
字が汚い focuses on the visual messiness, while 字が下手 implies a lack of skill. 字が汚い is more common in everyday speech.
字が汚いけど、内容はいい。
The handwriting is messy, but the content is good.
字が下手なので、もっと練習します。
My handwriting is poor, so I'll practice more.
The phrase 'poor handwriting' translated literally as 貧しい手書き does not make sense in Japanese. Use the expressions above instead.
Literally 'handwriting is unskillful'. A softer way to say someone's handwriting is poor, focusing on lack of skill rather than messiness.
字が下手で恥ずかしいです。
I'm embarrassed that my handwriting is poor.
A somewhat formal or literary term for bad handwriting. Often used in written contexts or self-deprecatingly.
悪筆で申し訳ありません。
I apologize for my poor handwriting.
Literally 'hitting writing', meaning hastily scribbled notes. Implies speed and carelessness.
殴り書きのメモを残して彼は出かけた。
He left a hastily scribbled note and went out.
Similar to 殴り書き, meaning 'running writing' or hurried scrawl. Slightly less negative.
走り書きですみません。
Sorry for the rushed handwriting.
A more emphatic and casual version of 字が下手, meaning 'handwriting is really bad'. Can sound blunt.
Can be rude if used about others directly.
字が下手くそでごめん。
Sorry my handwriting is so bad.