Translation guide
Describes a person or behavior that lacks self-control, order, or consistent training. Japanese expressions range from direct adjectives to nuanced phrases about upbringing and habits.
To describe a person who cannot control their impulses, habits, or behavior, often leading to laziness or lack of achievement.
The most common and versatile word for 'undisciplined' in the sense of being sloppy, lazy, or lacking self-control. Can describe a person's character, appearance, or lifestyle.
He leads an undisciplined life.
With such an undisciplined attitude, you won't succeed.
Literally 'cannot self-manage'. A more formal and direct way to say someone lacks self-discipline, often used in work or health contexts.
People who are undisciplined are not suited for this job.
Means 'indulgent toward oneself'. Implies a lack of strictness or discipline with one's own behavior, often used in self-reflection or criticism.
Because I'm undisciplined, I always fail at dieting.
Refers specifically to lack of moderation in eating, drinking, or health habits. Often used in medical or lifestyle advice.
He got sick due to his undisciplined lifestyle.
To describe someone, especially a child or subordinate, who has not been properly disciplined or trained, resulting in unruly or uncontrolled behavior.
Means 'not properly disciplined/raised'. Commonly used to criticize someone's upbringing or lack of manners, implying the person is undisciplined due to poor training.
That child is undisciplined (poorly raised).
I'm troubled by so many undisciplined employees.
Means 'selfish' or 'willful'. Often used for undisciplined children or adults who do whatever they want without considering others.
Literally 'unrestrained' or 'uncontrolled'. Describes a person or situation lacking proper discipline or boundaries, often with a negative connotation of chaos.
To describe an approach, method, or system that is not rigorous, orderly, or consistently applied.
Means 'irresponsible', 'half-hearted', or 'sloppy'. Describes an undisciplined approach to work or duties, lacking thoroughness.
His work is undisciplined and unreliable.
Means 'sloppy' or 'careless', often used for management, accounting, or planning that lacks discipline and precision.
Literally 'unsystematic'. Used in academic or technical contexts to describe a lack of disciplined methodology.
だらしない focuses on personal sloppiness or lack of self-control, while しつけがなっていない explicitly blames upbringing or training. Use だらしない for general character flaws, and しつけがなっていない when criticizing someone's background or manners.
He is undisciplined (sloppy), but he was raised properly.
There is no single Japanese adjective that perfectly matches 'undisciplined' in all contexts. Avoid direct translations like 非訓練的 or 無訓練, which are unnatural. Choose the expression that fits the specific nuance: sloppiness, lack of self-control, poor upbringing, or unsystematic approach.
わがままに育ったので、集団生活が苦手だ。
Because he was raised undisciplined, he struggles with group life.
Undisciplined children were wrecking the park.
Undisciplined management became a problem.
His research methods are undisciplined.