Translation guide
How to express 'screw up' in Japanese, from casual mistakes to serious failures.
To say you messed up, made an error, or did something wrong in a casual, everyday context.
A very common casual verb meaning to mess up, blunder, or do something stupid. Often used when you've made a noticeable mistake.
またやらかしちゃった。
I screwed up again.
彼は大事なプレゼンでやらかした。
He screwed up during the important presentation.
Slang verb from 'miss,' meaning to make a mistake. Very casual and common among younger people.
テストでミスった。
I screwed up on the test.
Standard word for 'fail' or 'make a mistake.' Less casual than やらかす, but still natural in many situations.
料理に失敗した。
I screwed up the cooking.
To express that you ruined a plan, situation, or object through your actions.
Means to ruin, spoil, or mess something up completely. Often used for plans, moods, or efforts.
彼の一言で雰囲気が台無しになった。
His one comment screwed up the atmosphere.
雨でピクニックが台無しだ。
The rain screwed up the picnic.
Literally 'make into a mess,' meaning to ruin, wreck, or screw up. Stronger and more emotional than 台無しにする.
彼は部屋をめちゃくちゃにした。
He screwed up the room.
Very rough, slangy verb meaning to wreck, ruin, or screw up. Often used for plans or relationships.
To describe a major screw-up that has significant consequences, often in work or personal life.
Means to fail, blunder, or screw up, often with a sense of having messed up badly. Common in both casual and serious contexts.
仕事でしくじってクビになった。
I screwed up at work and got fired.
人生をしくじった気がする。
I feel like I've screwed up my life.
A slightly old-fashioned but still used word for a blunder or stupid mistake. Often implies carelessness.
とんでもないへまをした。
I made a huge screw-up.
To express that you messed up a relationship, date, or social interaction.
Same as above, but very commonly used for social blunders. Context makes the meaning clear.
デートでやらかした。
I screwed up on the date.
Can be used for social failures, though slightly more formal.
告白に失敗した。
I screwed up my confession of love.
To express that you said something inappropriate or damaging.
Means to make a verbal gaffe or slip of the tongue. Often used in formal or public contexts.
大臣が失言して問題になった。
The minister screwed up by saying the wrong thing and it became a problem.
Literally 'let one's mouth slip,' meaning to say something you shouldn't have.
つい口を滑らせて秘密を話しちゃった。
I accidentally screwed up and blurted out the secret.
やらかす is the most versatile casual word for 'screw up,' covering everything from small mistakes to big blunders. しくじる implies a more serious failure with consequences. ミスる is light slang for simple errors, like on a test or in a game.
Do not try to translate 'screw' literally. Phrases like ねじを回す (turn a screw) have no connection to making a mistake. Use the expressions above instead.
あいつが全部ぶち壊した。
That guy screwed everything up.