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.
I screwed up again.
He screwed up during the important presentation.
Slang verb from 'miss,' meaning to make a mistake. Very casual and common among younger people.
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.
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.
His one comment screwed up the atmosphere.
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.
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.
I screwed up at work and got fired.
A slightly old-fashioned but still used word for a blunder or stupid mistake. Often implies carelessness.
I made a huge screw-up.
To express that you messed up a relationship, date, or social interaction.
To express that you said something inappropriate or damaging.
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.
That guy screwed everything up.
I feel like I've screwed up my life.
I accidentally screwed up and blurted out the secret.