Translation guide
Describes a person, behavior, or atmosphere that is not warm, kind, or welcoming. Japanese has several words that capture different shades of unfriendliness, from cold and distant to openly hostile.
Describing a person or attitude that is not warm, approachable, or kind.
Literally 'cold,' but commonly used for a person who is emotionally cold, indifferent, or unkind. Very natural for describing unfriendly behavior.
彼は冷たい人だ。
He is a cold/unfriendly person.
冷たい態度を取られた。
I was treated coldly (with an unfriendly attitude).
Describes someone who is unsociable, blunt, or curt, often not smiling or making small talk. Implies a lack of friendliness rather than active hostility.
あの店員は無愛想だ。
That clerk is unfriendly/unsociable.
無愛想な返事をされた。
I got a curt/unfriendly reply.
Means cold, curt, or brusque. Often used when someone gives a short, dismissive response or seems uninterested.
そっけない態度を取る。
To act cold/unfriendly.
彼女はそっけなく「いいえ」と言った。
She said 'no' curtly/unfriendly.
Describes behavior that is distant, standoffish, or keeping someone at arm's length. Often used when someone who was previously friendly becomes cold.
最近、彼はよそよそしい。
Lately, he's been distant/unfriendly.
Describing a person, action, or environment that is actively unfriendly, aggressive, or unwelcoming.
Means 'hostile' or 'having ill will.' Stronger than just unfriendly; implies active antagonism.
彼は敵意のある態度を見せた。
He showed a hostile/unfriendly attitude.
Describes an atmosphere or relationship that is strained, tense, or hostile. Often used for unfriendly moods between people.
会議は険悪な雰囲気だった。
The meeting had an unfriendly/hostile atmosphere.
Describes someone who is prickly, snappy, or sharp-tongued. More colloquial and often used for a person's unfriendly demeanor.
彼女はつんけんした言い方をした。
She spoke in an unfriendly/snappy way.
Describing a place, atmosphere, or group that feels unfriendly or inhospitable.
Means 'uncomfortable' or 'unwelcoming.' Used for a place or situation where you don't feel at ease because of unfriendly people or atmosphere.
あの店は居心地が悪い。
That shop feels unwelcoming/unfriendly.
Literally 'cold to outsiders.' Describes a community or group that is unfriendly to newcomers or strangers.
この町はよそ者に冷たい。
This town is unfriendly to outsiders.
Describing service that is rude, unhelpful, or lacking warmth.
Means 'unfriendly' or 'lacking amiability.' Often used for service staff who are not welcoming or pleasant.
あの店員は愛想が悪い。
That clerk is unfriendly/unpleasant.
Also used in service contexts to mean blunt or unsmiling.
無愛想な接客だった。
The service was unfriendly/curt.
冷たい (tsumetai) is the most general and can describe a person's character. 無愛想 (buaisou) focuses on lack of sociability or smiles, often in service. そっけない (sokkenai) emphasizes curt, dismissive replies or behavior.
不親切 (fushinsetsu) means 'unhelpful' or 'not kind' in the sense of not going out of one's way to assist. It does not mean 'unfriendly' in the social sense. Use 冷たい or 無愛想 instead.