Translation guide
The superlative form of 'bad', used to describe the most unfavorable, lowest quality, or most severe thing in a set. In Japanese, it is expressed through specific adjectives, nouns, and set phrases, depending on whether you mean 'the most terrible', 'the lowest in quality', or 'the most severe case'.
To describe something as the most awful, horrible, or undesirable among others.
The most common and versatile way to say 'worst'. It can be used as a noun or na-adjective to describe situations, experiences, or things. Often used in casual speech as an exclamation.
Today was the worst day.
Literally 'lowest', used to mean 'the worst' in terms of quality, behavior, or mood. Often carries a stronger emotional tone of disgust or disappointment than 最悪.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'the most terrible'. ひどい means 'terrible' or 'awful', and 一番 makes it superlative. Slightly less common as a set phrase than 最悪/最低, but very natural.
This is the worst typhoon.
To indicate that something is the least good, most inferior, or poorest in a ranking or comparison.
To describe the most extreme negative possibility or outcome.
A set phrase meaning 'worst-case scenario' or 'the worst situation'. Used in planning or warnings.
To express that even in the most negative outcome, something is still true or acceptable.
Means 'even if it's bad' or 'at worst'. Used to set a lower bound on expectations.
最悪 (saiaku) is more about the situation or experience being the worst, while 最低 (saitei) often implies a moral judgment or extremely low quality. 最低 can sound harsher and more personal. For example, calling a person 最低 means they are despicable, whereas 最悪な人 means they are a terrible person to deal with.
He is a despicable person.
This is the worst! The train is stopped.
あの映画は最低だった。
That movie was the worst.
His attitude is the worst.
Also used for quality, though 最低 may be more common in some contexts. 最悪の結果 means 'the worst result'.
I got the worst score on the test.
Strongly implies the lowest possible standard. Often used for products, services, or performance.
This restaurant's service is the worst.
A more formal, literal translation: 'the most bad'. Used in writing or formal speech. 最も is a formal superlative marker.
This is the worst choice.
Loanword from English, used in rankings or lists (e.g., 'worst 10'). Not used as a general adjective.
A movie that makes the worst 10 list.
Let's assume the worst-case scenario.
Means 'in the worst case'. Commonly used in conditional statements.
In the worst case, it will be canceled.
Loanword 'scenario' combined with 最悪. Common in business or technical contexts.
We consider the worst scenario.
At worst, we can get third place.
Literally 'even at worst'. Similar to 悪くても but slightly more emphatic.
At worst, it's a draw.
彼は最悪な上司だ。
He is the worst boss.
The loanword ワースト is only used in specific contexts like rankings (ワースト5). It cannot replace 最悪 or 最低 in everyday sentences. Saying 'この料理はワーストだ' sounds unnatural.