Translation guide
The quality of being impossible to predict or foresee. In Japanese, this concept is often expressed through adjectives, nouns, and set phrases that describe people, situations, or events as erratic, uncertain, or volatile.
unpredictable (person/thing)
Most common for describing capricious behavior.
unpredictable (outcome/situation)
Formal; for events or systems.
Describing a person, situation, or outcome that cannot be predicted.
A direct and formal compound meaning 'impossible to predict'. Used for events, outcomes, or systems.
This weather is unpredictable.
Means 'uncertain' or 'indeterminate'. Used in formal or technical contexts to describe factors that are not fixed.
Describing a person, animal, or thing that acts in an unpredictable, inconsistent, or capricious manner.
A noun or na-adjective meaning 'whim', 'caprice', or 'unpredictable mood'. Often used for people or weather.
He is an unpredictable person.
Refers to moodiness or temperamental unpredictability. Often describes a person whose mood or performance varies.
An i-adjective meaning 'changeable' or 'fickle'. Used for weather, moods, or situations that shift frequently.
Means 'unstable' or 'volatile'. Often used for economic conditions, mental states, or systems.
Expressing that the result of something is not yet known or could go either way.
A common colloquial phrase meaning 'no one knows what will happen' or 'it's unpredictable'.
The future is unpredictable.
Literally 'you don't know what will happen'. Emphasizes the potential for unexpected events.
気まぐれ implies whimsical or capricious unpredictability, often without negative connotation. むら気 suggests moodiness or temperamental inconsistency, and can carry a slightly negative nuance.
The English noun 'unpredictability' is often better expressed with adjectives or phrases in Japanese. Using a direct noun like 予測不可能性 can sound overly technical or unnatural in casual speech.
The occurrence of earthquakes is unpredictable.
A set phrase meaning 'leaves no room for easy predictions' or 'remains unpredictable'. Often used for situations that are too close to call.
The outcome of the match is still unpredictable.
不確定要素が多い。
There are many unpredictable factors.
I'm at the mercy of the unpredictable weather.
She is unpredictable; you never know what she's thinking.
Spring weather is unpredictable.
Stock prices are volatile and hard to predict.
Life is unpredictable.
Means 'fluid' or 'in flux'. Used for situations that are still developing and unpredictable.
The situation is unpredictable.