Translation guide
Describes a person, thing, or situation that cannot be relied on. In Japanese, this is expressed through adjectives, verbs, and descriptive phrases that emphasize unreliability, inconsistency, or lack of trustworthiness.
Describing a person who cannot be counted on to keep promises, show up, or do what they say.
The most common and neutral way to say someone is undependable. Literally 'does not become a reliance'.
He is undependable.
That person doesn't keep promises, so they're undependable.
Similar to 頼りにならない but often used for things or information as well as people. Implies 'cannot be counted on'.
What he says is undependable.
Focuses on lack of trustworthiness. Stronger than 頼りにならない, implying the person might be dishonest.
That man is undependable (untrustworthy).
Describes someone who is irresponsible, sloppy, or half-hearted. Often used for people who don't take things seriously.
He's an undependable (irresponsible) person.
Describing objects, data, weather, etc. that cannot be relied on to function or be accurate.
The go-to phrase for undependable things, forecasts, or information.
This weather forecast is undependable.
Information on the internet can be undependable.
Means 'unstable' or 'unreliable' for systems, connections, or performance.
Formal/technical term for low reliability. Used in product reviews or technical contexts.
Describing something that varies in quality or performance, making it undependable.
Describes a person or thing that is whimsical, capricious, or unpredictable. Often used for people's moods or performance.
His work is undependable (erratic).
Literally 'has unevenness'. Used for inconsistent performance or quality.
That player is undependable (inconsistent).
Means 'not stable', used for fluctuating things like internet connection or emotions.
The Wi-Fi here is undependable.
Both mean 'undependable', but 頼りにならない is more about relying on a person for support or help, while 当てにならない is about counting on something to happen or be true. 当てにならない is often used for information, forecasts, or promises.
He is undependable as a person, but his information is not necessarily undependable.
The English word 'undependable' doesn't have a single direct adjective in Japanese. Using 頼りにならない or 当てにならない is natural. Avoid trying to create a word like 不頼 (not a real word).
This app is undependable and crashes often.
This machine is undependable (has low reliability).