Translation guide
Describes someone or something lacking refinement, manners, or polish. The Japanese options range from mild 'rough' to strong 'vulgar' or 'boorish', depending on the nuance.
Describing a person who is rude, crude, or ill-mannered in behavior or speech.
Literally 'lacking manners', this is a common and relatively neutral way to say someone is uncouth or ill-mannered. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective.
彼は無作法な振る舞いをした。
He behaved in an uncouth manner.
Means 'vulgar' or 'coarse'. Stronger than 無作法, often implying crudeness in speech or taste. Commonly used.
彼の冗談は下品だ。
His jokes are uncouth.
Means 'boorish', 'uncouth', or 'unrefined'. Often implies a lack of sophistication or worldliness. Slightly old-fashioned but still used.
彼は野暮ったい服装をしている。
He wears uncouth clothes.
Means 'rough' or 'boorish'. Emphasizes a lack of polish and sometimes aggressiveness. Often used for men.
彼の態度は粗野だった。
His attitude was uncouth.
Means 'rustic' or 'uncouth' in a rough, unpolished way. Can sometimes have a positive nuance of being straightforward and unpretentious.
彼は無骨だが正直な男だ。
He is an uncouth but honest man.
Referring to speech that is offensive, coarse, or lacking refinement.
Literally 'vulgar words'. The most direct way to describe uncouth language.
彼は下品な言葉を使った。
He used uncouth language.
Means 'obscene' or 'lewd'. Use when the uncouthness is sexual or extremely crude.
彼の卑猥な発言は不快だった。
His uncouth remarks were offensive.
Describing something like clothing, decor, or a place that is crude or unrefined.
Adjective meaning 'uncouth', 'unrefined', or 'tacky'. Often used for fashion or style.
そのネクタイは野暮ったい。
That tie is uncouth.
Describes something rough-hewn or lacking elegance, like furniture or design.
この机は無骨なデザインだ。
This desk has an uncouth design.
無作法 (busahō) focuses on lack of manners or etiquette. 下品 (gehin) emphasizes vulgarity or coarseness, often in speech. 野暮 (yabo) implies a lack of sophistication or worldliness, sometimes with a slightly old-fashioned feel.
Direct translations like 'uncouth' as a single word are not common in Japanese. It's better to use descriptive phrases or specific adjectives depending on the context.