不作
Meanings
1
poor crop; bad harvest; crop failure
Primarily used for agricultural yields; can also appear in economic or figurative contexts referring to poor results.
This year the rice harvest was poor due to unseasonable weather.
2
low quality; poor output
Extended use for creative or intellectual works; often implies a disappointing season or period of low-quality production.
This year's literary prize had a poor crop of entries, and no work received the award.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉が不作だthe crop of ~ is poor this season
The rice crop is poor this year because of the typhoons.
- 〈事〉は不作だthis year's crop of ~ is disappointing (of talent, works, etc.)
This year's draft class is said to be a weak crop of talent.
- 不作に見舞われるto be hit by a poor harvest
Farmers were hit by a poor harvest due to the long drought.
- 不作が続くpoor harvests continue year after year
In this region, poor harvests have continued for several years in a row.
Expressions
- 悪妻は百年の不作a bad wife spells the ruin of her husband