i-adjective
Describes something of low quality, poorly made, or crude in execution. Often used for objects, work, or results.
彼の作った家具はつたない出来だった。
The furniture he made was of poor quality.
i-adjective
Refers to a lack of skill or ability in doing something. Can describe a person's performance, speech, or actions. Related to 不味い (sense 2).
See also: 不味い
つたない英語で道を尋ねた。
I asked for directions in clumsy English.
彼の運転はまだつたない。
His driving is still unskillful.
i-adjective
Rare, archaic sense meaning unfortunate or unlucky. Not used in modern Japanese; encountered only in classical texts.
古文では「つたない」が不運を意味することがある。
In classical Japanese, つたない can mean unlucky.