Translation guide
Describes a person who fails to notice or understand the atmosphere, social cues, or unspoken feelings in a situation, often leading to awkwardness.
The person does not sense the general mood or social expectations in a room or group.
The most common and direct way to say someone can't read the room. Often abbreviated as 'KY' in slang.
彼は空気が読めないから、そういう冗談はやめたほうがいいよ。
He can't read the room, so you'd better not make jokes like that.
Slightly more formal or emphatic version of 空気が読めない, using を instead of が.
あの人は空気を読めない発言が多い。
That person often says things that show they can't read the mood.
Slang abbreviation for 空気が読めない (Kuuki ga Yomenai). Used mainly by younger people in casual contexts.
マジでKYだね。
You're seriously clueless about the mood.
The person does not notice that someone is upset, uncomfortable, or needs support.
Literally 'doesn't understand people's feelings'. Used when someone is emotionally oblivious.
彼は人の気持ちがわからないから、傷つけることを平気で言う。
He doesn't understand people's feelings, so he says hurtful things without a second thought.
From English 'delicacy', meaning tactless or lacking sensitivity. Common in spoken Japanese.
そんなことを聞くなんて、デリカシーがないね。
Asking something like that shows a lack of tact.
Means insensitive, thoughtless, or thick-skinned. Often used to criticize someone's behavior.
The person does not pick up on indirect suggestions, subtle signals, or implied meanings.
Means slow on the uptake or bad at sensing what others mean without being told directly.
察しが悪くてすみません、もう一度説明してもらえますか？
Sorry for being slow on the uptake, could you explain it again?
Means not being attentive or considerate; failing to notice what needs to be done or said.
気が利かなくて、お茶も出さずにごめんなさい。
I'm sorry for not being thoughtful enough to offer you tea.
Means thick-skinned or insensitive, often used for someone who doesn't notice romantic interest or subtle hints.
空気が読めない focuses on failing to grasp the overall atmosphere or social mood, while 察しが悪い is more about being slow to understand hints or implied meanings from individuals. The former is broader and more common in everyday conversation.
空気が読めない人はパーティーで浮いてしまう。
People who can't read the room end up standing out awkwardly at parties.
察しが悪いと、デートで失敗するかもしれない。
If you're slow on the uptake, you might mess up on a date.
Do not directly translate 'unable to pick up on the mood' word-for-word. Phrases like ムードを拾えない are unnatural. Use the idiomatic expressions provided.
ムードを拾えない
(unnatural literal translation)
ムードを拾えない
(unnatural literal translation)
無神経な発言で彼女を怒らせてしまった。
I made her angry with my insensitive remark.
彼は鈍感だから、彼女の気持ちに全然気づかない。
He's so dense that he doesn't notice her feelings at all.