Translation guide
The English word "unfair" covers a range of situations where something is not just, equitable, or reasonable. In Japanese, the best translation depends on whether you're talking about rules, treatment, advantages, or general injustice. This guide helps you choose the most natural expression.
Describing a situation, decision, or treatment that is not fair or just, often implying a violation of rules or moral standards.
The most common and direct translation for "unfair" in the sense of lacking fairness or impartiality. Used for rules, distribution, treatment, etc.
その判定は不公平だ。
That decision is unfair.
不公平な扱いを受けた。
I was treated unfairly.
Often used for unjust or unreasonable actions, especially in legal, official, or formal contexts. Implies something is not right or proper.
Focuses on inequality or disparity, often in social or systemic contexts. Less about moral judgment, more about lack of equality.
Describing a situation where someone gains an unfair advantage, often by breaking rules or using dishonest methods.
Everyday word for "unfair" in the sense of sly, cunning, or cheating. Often used when someone takes advantage of a situation or doesn't play by the rules.
ずるいよ！一人で全部食べちゃうなんて。
That's unfair! Eating it all by yourself.
彼はずるい手段で勝った。
He won by unfair means.
Means cowardly or unfair, often implying a lack of fair play or honor. Stronger moral condemnation than ずるい.
Literally "foul" or "violation of rules". Used in sports or games to mean an illegal (and thus unfair) action.
Expressing that something is not reasonable, just, or acceptable, often in a subjective or emotional sense.
Means unreasonable, irrational, or unfair in a way that feels arbitrary and hard to accept. Often used for situations where logic or justice is absent.
理不尽な要求に困っている。
I'm troubled by unreasonable (unfair) demands.
人生は理不尽だ。
Life is unfair.
Colloquial term meaning absurd, unreasonable, or messed up. Can be used to call something outrageously unfair.
A phrase meaning "I can't accept it" or "it doesn't sit right with me". Used when something feels unfair and you're not convinced by the reasoning.
その説明は納得いかない。
That explanation doesn't satisfy me (feels unfair).
Describing a person, decision, or system that favors one side unfairly.
Means biased, lopsided, or leaning to one side. Used for opinions, judgments, or distributions that are not impartial.
彼の意見は偏っている。
His opinion is biased (unfair).
Favoritism, partiality. Often used when someone shows unfair preference, e.g., a teacher favoring certain students.
えこひいきはやめてください。
Please stop showing favoritism (being unfair).
不公平 (fukouhei) is the most general for 'unfair' in terms of lack of fairness. 不当 (futou) is stronger and often used in legal or formal contexts for unjust actions. 不平等 (fubyoudou) focuses on inequality or disparity, not necessarily moral unfairness.
When you feel something is unfair in a casual, emotional sense, ずるい or 理不尽 often sound more natural than 不公平. 不公平 can sound a bit formal or objective.
彼だけ特別扱いされるのは不公平だ。
It's unfair that only he gets special treatment.
審判の判定は全く不当だった。
The referee's call was completely unfair.
そんなのずるいよ！
Don't be so unfair!
Protest against unfair dismissal.
不平等条約
unequal treaty (historically 'unfair treaty')
Stop playing dirty (unfair).
それは反則だ。
That's a foul / That's unfair (in a game).
むちゃくちゃな話だ。
That's a ridiculous (unfair) story.