Translation guide
The English prefix 'un-' is used to express negation, reversal, or removal. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; instead, various prefixes, negative forms, and sentence patterns are used depending on the meaning and word type.
To express the opposite or absence of a quality, often with adjectives or adjectival nouns.
For i-adjectives, replace the final い with くない to form the negative. This is the most common way to express 'un-' with adjectives.
This dish is unappetizing.
His explanation is unclear.
For na-adjectives and nouns, use ではない (formal) or じゃない (casual) to mean 'is not'. This corresponds to 'un-' in many cases.
Isn't that unfair?
This room is not quiet. (unquiet)
Prefix used with many Sino-Japanese words (kango) to express negation, similar to 'un-', 'in-', or 'non-'. Common in formal and written contexts.
That's impossible.
He is an unkind person.
Prefix meaning 'non-' or 'un-', often used with nouns to indicate something is not of that category. More objective than 不〜.
This is an unofficial meeting.
It's an unrealistic plan.
Prefix meaning 'un-' or 'not yet', used with nouns to indicate something has not been done or is incomplete.
an unfinished work
an unsolved problem
To express undoing, reversing, or removing something, often with verbs.
Attached to the masu-stem of a verb to mean 're-do' or 'do over', often corresponding to 'un-' in the sense of correcting or reversing an action.
I made a mistake, so I'll rewrite it. (unwrite and write again)
We need to review (re-examine) the plan.
To undo, untie, unravel. Used for physical actions like untying a knot or undoing a string.
To remove, take off, unfasten. Used for things like unlocking, unplugging, or taking off accessories.
To cancel, revoke, undo (an action or statement). Often used for undoing a reservation, order, or comment.
Prefix meaning 'de-', 'un-', or 'dis-', used with nouns to indicate removal or separation. Often in technical or formal contexts.
post-industrial (deindustrialized) society
To express the absence or lack of a quality or thing.
Use がない to indicate the lack of something. For abstract nouns, this often corresponds to 'un-' + noun.
He has no experience. (He is inexperienced.)
The plan lacks flexibility. (is inflexible)
Prefix meaning 'without', '-less', or 'un-'. Attaches to nouns to form adjectives or nouns indicating absence.
a meaningless (unmeaningful) discussion
English 'un-' words often have specific Japanese equivalents that are not formed by a simple prefix. For example, 'unhappy' is usually 不幸な (ふこうな) or 悲しい (かなしい), not a direct negative of 'happy'. Always check a dictionary for common adjectives.
He looks unhappy.
不〜 (fu-) generally negates the quality or state (un-, in-). 非〜 (hi-) indicates something is outside a category (non-). 未〜 (mi-) means 'not yet' (un- as in incomplete). Choose based on nuance.
imperfect vs. unofficial vs. unfinished
靴ひもをほどいた。
I untied my shoelaces.
シートベルトを外してください。
Please unfasten your seatbelt.
注文を取り消したいのですが。
I'd like to cancel (undo) my order.
無責任な行動
irresponsible (unresponsible) behavior