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.
この料理はおいしくない。
This dish is unappetizing.
彼の説明はわかりやすくない。
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.
それは不公平じゃない？
Isn't that unfair?
この部屋は静かではない。
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.
Prefix meaning 'non-' or 'un-', often used with nouns to indicate something is not of that category. More objective than 不〜.
これは非公式の会議です。
This is an unofficial meeting.
非現実的な計画だ。
It's an unrealistic plan.
Prefix meaning 'un-' or 'not yet', used with nouns to indicate something has not been done or is incomplete.
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.
間違えたので、書き直します。
I made a mistake, so I'll rewrite it. (unwrite and write again)
計画を見直す必要がある。
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.
脱工業化社会
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.
彼には経験がない。
He has no experience. (He is inexperienced.)
その計画には柔軟性がない。
The plan lacks flexibility. (is inflexible)
Prefix meaning 'without', '-less', or 'un-'. Attaches to nouns to form adjectives or nouns indicating absence.
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.
彼は不幸そうに見える。
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.
不完全 vs. 非公式 vs. 未完成
imperfect vs. unofficial vs. unfinished
I untied my shoelaces.
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.