Translation guide
The English word 'sloppy' covers several related ideas: messy, careless, loose-fitting, and sentimental. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
Describing something that is messy, not neat, or poorly organized.
The most common and versatile word for 'sloppy' in the sense of untidy, careless, or lacking discipline. Can describe a person's appearance, habits, or work.
彼はいつもだらしない格好をしている。
He always looks sloppy.
そのレポートはだらしない内容だった。
The report was sloppy.
Means rough, crude, or careless, often used for workmanship or handling of things. Implies lack of attention to detail.
Describes a state of disorder or clutter, like a messy room. More about physical disarray than carelessness.
部屋が乱雑に散らかっている。
The room is sloppy and messy.
Describing actions or results that show a lack of care or attention.
Means half-hearted, irresponsible, or sloppy. Often used for work or promises done without proper care.
彼のいい加減な仕事には困ったものだ。
His sloppy work is a real problem.
いい加減な返事をしないでください。
Don't give me a sloppy answer.
Means sloppy, careless, or slipshod, often used in formal contexts like management or accounting.
Same reading as ずさん but written with kanji; emphasizes carelessness in planning or execution. Often used in criticism.
Describing clothes that are too loose, shapeless, or not neat.
Onomatopoeic word for clothes that are too big and baggy, giving a sloppy appearance.
そのジャケットはだぶだぶで、だらしなく見える。
That jacket is so baggy it looks sloppy.
Similar to だぶだぶ, but often implies the clothes are too large in size, not just loose-fitting.
Describing something like a movie, story, or behavior that is excessively emotional or maudlin.
Means sentimental or emotional, often with a negative nuance of being overly so. Can be used for sloppy sentimentality.
その映画は感傷的すぎて、見ていられなかった。
The movie was too sloppy and sentimental to watch.
Describing something like food or ground that is too wet and messy.
Onomatopoeia for something wet and messy, like sloppy food or muddy ground.
このご飯はべちゃべちゃだ。
This rice is sloppy.
Describes something messy, mushy, or disorganized, often used for food or a messy situation.
English 'sloppy' covers many concepts. Using a single Japanese word for all situations will sound unnatural. Always match the Japanese word to the specific meaning you intend.
The company's accounting was sloppy.
Safety management was sloppy.
このシャツはぶかぶかで、だらしない。
This shirt is too big and looks sloppy.
Literally 'tear-jerking', used for stories or performances that try too hard to make you cry, often seen as sloppy or manipulative.
あのドラマはお涙頂戴のシーンばかりだ。
That drama is full of sloppy tear-jerking scenes.
道がぐちゃぐちゃで歩きにくい。
The road is sloppy and hard to walk on.