拙い · i-adjective
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 拙い | 拙くない |
| Polite | 拙いです | 拙くないですalso 拙くありません |
| Past polite | 拙かったです | 拙くなかったですalso 拙くありませんでした |
| Past | 拙かった | 拙くなかった |
| Te-form | 拙くて | 拙くなくて |
| Adverbial | 拙く | |
| Conditional | 拙ければ | 拙くなければ |
| Tara conditional | 拙かったら | 拙くなかったら |
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.
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: まずい
I asked for directions in clumsy English.
His driving is still unskillful.
Rare, archaic sense meaning unfortunate or unlucky. Not used in modern Japanese; encountered only in classical texts.
In classical Japanese, つたない can mean unlucky.
I apologize for my clumsy writing, but I hope this is acceptable.
Though my skills are lacking, I'll do my very best.