Translation guide
Describes someone who says or does things without considering others' feelings, often causing embarrassment or offense. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through adjectives, verbs, and set phrases that highlight insensitivity or lack of social awareness.
Describing a person or their actions as lacking consideration for others' feelings, often in social situations.
The most common and direct equivalent. Literally 'no nerves,' it means insensitive or thoughtless. Can describe a person or their actions.
彼は無神経なことを言ってしまった。
He said something tactless.
無神経な質問をするのはやめてください。
Please stop asking tactless questions.
From English 'delicacy,' this phrase means lacking delicacy or tact. Common in spoken Japanese.
あの人はデリカシーがないから、よく人を怒らせる。
That person is tactless, so they often make people angry.
Literally 'the spirit doesn't work,' meaning insensitive, inattentive, or lacking tact. Often used for failing to notice others' needs.
気が利かない発言で、場の空気が悪くなった。
His tactless remark ruined the atmosphere.
Often abbreviated as 'KY,' this means 'can't read the room.' Describes someone who is oblivious to social cues and says inappropriate things.
彼は空気が読めないから、いつも変なことを言う。
He can't read the room, so he always says weird things.
Means lacking compassion or consideration. More about a general lack of empathy, but can imply tactlessness in certain contexts.
思いやりがない言葉に傷ついた。
I was hurt by his tactless words.
Focusing on speech that is too direct, harsh, or lacking in euphemism, causing discomfort.
Means blunt, explicit, or undisguised. Often used for remarks that are shockingly direct or tactless.
露骨な言い方をする人だ。
He's a person who speaks in a tactless, blunt way.
露骨に嫌な顔をされた。
They made a tactlessly obvious face of disgust.
Similar to 露骨, meaning blatant or undisguised. Implies a lack of subtlety that can be tactless.
An adverb meaning bluntly or without reserve. Describes a manner of speaking that is tactlessly direct.
Describing a specific comment or question that is out of place, embarrassing, or violates social norms.
Literally 'out-of-place remark.' Used for a comment that is inappropriate for the situation, often tactless.
お葬式で場違いな冗談を言ってしまった。
I made a tactless joke at the funeral.
A gaffe or slip of the tongue. Often used for a tactless or offensive remark made by a public figure.
大臣の失言が問題になった。
The minister's tactless remark became an issue.
Means 'to say unnecessary things.' Implies a tactless addition that would have been better left unsaid.
余計なことを言って、彼女を怒らせた。
I said something tactless and made her angry.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'tactless' in all contexts. Using a direct translation like 無作法 (boorish) or 非社交的 (unsociable) may sound unnatural. Choose the expression based on whether you mean insensitive, blunt, or socially awkward.
無神経 is a general term for insensitivity, while 空気が読めない (KY) specifically refers to failing to read social cues. KY is more colloquial and often used among younger people.
それは無神経な発言だった。
That was a tactless thing to say.
彼は本当にデリカシーがない。彼女に年齢を直接聞いた。
He's so tactless; he asked her age directly.
無神経なことを言うつもりはなかった。
I didn't mean to be tactless.
You should avoid expressing dissatisfaction so tactlessly.
ずけずけとものを言う人だ。
He's a person who says things tactlessly.