Translation guide
Describes outcomes that are unsatisfactory, below expectations, or unsuccessful. Covers academic/test scores, work performance, project outcomes, and general results.
Expressing that results were not good, disappointing, or below standard.
General, neutral way to say 'the results are bad/poor'. Can be used in many contexts.
テストの結果が悪かった。
The test results were poor.
プロジェクトの結果が悪いです。
The project results are poor.
Describing low-quality work, production, or achievement.
Means 'results are not improving' or 'not yielding good results'. Common in business contexts.
新しい戦略でも成果が上がらない。
Even with the new strategy, we're getting poor results.
When efforts did not lead to good results.
Literally 'no effect'. Used when something didn't produce the desired result.
この薬は効果がなかった。
This medicine had poor results (was ineffective).
結果 (けっか) is a general word for 'result' or 'outcome'. 成績 (せいせき) specifically refers to grades, records, or performance evaluations. Use 成績 for academic or track record contexts.
試験の結果が悪かった。
The exam results were poor.
学校の成績が悪い。
My school grades are poor.
Avoid directly translating 'poor results' as 貧しい結果 (まずしいけっか). 貧しい means 'poor' in the sense of lacking money or resources, not quality. Use 悪い (わるい) or other expressions above.
Specifically for academic grades or performance records. '成績' refers to grades or track record.
今学期の成績が悪かった。
My grades this semester were poor.
Formal, often written expression meaning 'unfavorable results'. Used in business or official reports.
業績は芳しくない結果に終わった。
The business performance ended with poor results.
Emphatic, colloquial way to say 'terrible results'. Implies a disastrous or very disappointing outcome.
試合は散々な結果だった。
The game had terrible results.
Means 'poorly done results' or 'unsatisfactory outcome'. Often used for work or product quality.
不出来な結果に終わった。
It ended with poor results.
Common phrase meaning 'doesn't go well', 'unsuccessful'. Very versatile.
計画はうまくいかなかった。
The plan had poor results (didn't go well).