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.
He said something tactless.
Please stop asking tactless questions.
From English 'delicacy,' this phrase means lacking delicacy or tact. Common in spoken Japanese.
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.
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.
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.
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.
He's a person who speaks in a tactless, blunt way.
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.
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.
Means 'to say unnecessary things.' Implies a tactless addition that would have been better left unsaid.
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.
That was a tactless thing to say.
He's so tactless; he asked her age directly.
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.
大臣の失言が問題になった。
The minister's tactless remark became an issue.
I said something tactless and made her angry.