Translation guide
How to express that something is not good enough, fails to meet expectations, or leaves you dissatisfied in Japanese.
Describing quality, performance, or results that are insufficient or fail to meet a required standard.
The most direct and common way to say something is insufficient or inadequate. Used in both spoken and written contexts.
This explanation is unsatisfactory.
The preparations were unsatisfactory.
Literally 'dissatisfaction', often used as a noun or na-adjective. Slightly more formal and less common than 不十分 for describing things.
The results were unsatisfactory.
Expresses that something is lacking, not quite enough, or leaves you wanting more. Often used for experiences, meals, or explanations.
His reply was unsatisfactory.
The plain form of 不十分です, used in casual speech or writing.
That answer is unsatisfactory.
Expressing that something failed to live up to what was hoped for or expected, causing disappointment.
A common noun/adjective meaning 'disappointing' or 'not living up to expectations'. Very natural for describing unsatisfactory outcomes.
His performance was unsatisfactory.
A mimetic word for disappointment. Often used as a suru-verb (がっかりする) to express personal dissatisfaction.
Means 'cannot accept/be convinced'. Used when an explanation or outcome is unsatisfactory and you cannot agree with it.
I find his explanation unsatisfactory.
Used in business, academic, or official settings to indicate that something does not meet required standards.
Means 'inappropriate' or 'unsuitable'. Often used in formal evaluations when something is not up to standard.
This report is unsatisfactory.
Refers to a defect, flaw, or insufficiency, especially in documents, systems, or preparations. Common in business Japanese.
A formal phrase meaning 'does not meet the standards'. Used in official assessments.
Expressing one's own feeling of dissatisfaction or lack of contentment with a situation.
The most common word for 'dissatisfaction' or 'complaint'. Used as a noun or na-adjective to express personal discontent.
I am dissatisfied with my current job.
He looks dissatisfied.
Literally 'not satisfied'. A straightforward way to state personal dissatisfaction.
I am not satisfied with the result.
There is no single Japanese adjective that perfectly matches all uses of 'unsatisfactory'. Direct translations like 不満足な are grammatically possible but often sound stiff or unnatural. Choose the expression that best fits the specific nuance: insufficient (不十分), disappointing (期待外れ), or personally dissatisfying (不満).
不十分 (fujūbun) focuses on objective insufficiency. 不満足 (fumanzoku) is a more formal, less common synonym. 不満 (fuman) is for personal dissatisfaction or complaints. Use 不十分 for things that are lacking, and 不満 for feelings of discontent.
This dish is a bit unsatisfactory.
It ended with an unsatisfactory result.
その知らせを聞いてがっかりした。
I was disappointed by the unsatisfactory news.
The application was unsatisfactory (had deficiencies).
This product is unsatisfactory (does not meet quality standards).