i-adjective
Broad everyday sense for a bad condition, result, situation, influence, or feeling. The exact English translation depends heavily on the noun it describes.
Staying up late is bad for your health.
i-adjective
poor in quality; inferior; insufficient
Used when the quality, level, condition, or amount of something is not good enough, such as service, reception, equipment, or performance.
この部屋は電波が悪い。
The signal is poor in this room.
あの店はサービスが悪い。
That restaurant has poor service.
i-adjective
Moral sense: something is wrong, wicked, or sinful. In ordinary speech it can range from minor wrongdoing to serious evil, depending on context.
人をだますのは悪いことだ。
Deceiving people is a bad thing to do.
i-adjective
ugly; unattractive; not beautiful
Describes an unattractive or unsightly appearance. It is often used with 見た目, 形, 色, or presentation rather than as a direct insult to a person.
見た目が悪いので、盛り付けを直そう。
It looks unattractive, so let's fix the presentation.
i-adjective
at fault; to blame; in the wrong
Used to say who is responsible or blameworthy. Common patterns include 私が悪い, どちらが悪い, and 悪いのは〜.
悪いのは私です。
I am the one at fault.
どちらが悪いか、まだ分からない。
We still do not know which side is to blame.
i-adjective
bad at doing something; unskillful; inept
Often appears in set-like expressions describing poor skill or manner, such as 手際が悪い, 要領が悪い, or 説明が悪い.
彼は手際が悪くて、料理に時間がかかる。
He is bad at organizing the work, so cooking takes him a long time.
i-adjective
unprofitable; disadvantageous; not worthwhile
Used when the return, benefit, or balance is poor. The common phrase 割が悪い means that something is not worth the effort or is a bad deal.
この仕事は割が悪い。
This job is not worth the effort.
interjection, i-adjective
sorry; my bad; I feel bad about it
Casual apology or expression of guilt, often as 悪い, 悪いね, or 悪かった. It can also describe feeling that one has wronged or imposed on someone.
悪い、少し遅れた。
Sorry, I'm a little late.
手伝ってもらって悪いね。
Sorry to make you help me.