Translation guide
Describes people, behavior, or societies considered primitive, lacking culture, or not conforming to modern standards of politeness and refinement. Japanese expressions range from neutral descriptions of underdevelopment to strong pejorative terms for barbarism.
To describe a society or group as not having developed complex social organization, technology, or customs, often in an anthropological or historical sense.
Literally 'not yet opened'. Refers to undeveloped lands or peoples, often used in historical or anthropological contexts. Can be neutral but may carry colonial undertones.
An uncivilized tribe lives on that island.
Means 'undeveloped' or 'uncultivated', often for land or resources. Can metaphorically describe a society as not yet civilized.
Bring civilization to an uncivilized land.
Means 'savage' or 'barbaric'. Stronger than 未開, often implying violence or lack of morals. Can be offensive.
Uncivilized customs still remain.
To criticize someone's behavior as impolite, coarse, or not conforming to social norms of courtesy.
Means 'rude' or 'impolite'. Focuses on lack of manners rather than primitive culture. Common in everyday criticism.
I can't stand his uncivilized attitude.
Means 'rude' or 'discourteous'. Slightly milder than 無礼, often used for minor breaches of etiquette.
Also used for personal behavior meaning 'boorish' or 'uncouth'. Stronger than 無礼, implying a lack of basic human decency.
Means 'vulgar' or 'crude'. Emphasizes lack of refinement or good taste, often for speech or behavior.
To describe something as outdated, crude, or lacking modern development, often in a critical or dismissive way.
Means 'primitive'. Neutral to slightly negative, used for tools, methods, or ideas that are not advanced.
Their farming methods are very uncivilized.
Means 'immature' or 'unrefined'. Can describe skills, ideas, or systems that are not fully developed.
Means 'backward' or 'behind the times'. Often used for societies or systems that are not modernized.
That region is still uncivilized.
English 'uncivilized' can be highly offensive when applied to people or cultures. In Japanese, words like 野蛮 (yaban) carry strong negative connotations and can be insulting. Use with caution, and prefer more neutral terms like 未開 (mikai) in academic contexts or 原始的 (genshiteki) for technology.
未開 (mikai) is relatively neutral, meaning 'undeveloped' or 'uncivilized' in a historical sense. 野蛮 (yaban) is strongly pejorative, implying savagery and brutality. Choose 未開 for objective description and 野蛮 for strong criticism.
そんな失礼な言い方はやめてください。
Please stop that uncivilized way of speaking.
His way of eating is uncivilized.
Stop making uncivilized jokes.
His way of thinking is still uncivilized.