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不甲斐ない (ふがいない) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
i-adjective
good-for-nothing ; spineless ; pathetic ; disappointing
Describes someone (often oneself or a close person) who lacks spirit, courage, or ability, resulting in disappointment or shame. Often used in self-reproach or criticism of someone who failed to meet expectations.
彼かれ の 不ふ 甲斐がい ない 態たい 度ど に がっかり し た 。
I was disappointed by his spineless attitude.
Written forms 不ふ 甲斐がい ない Usage 53%
ふがいない Usage 40%
Kana spelling is common in informal writing.
腑ふ 甲斐がい ない Usage 5%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
腑甲斐無ふがいな い Usage 2%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
Kanji 甲 armor, high (voice), A grade Similar words 情なさ けない 情けない focuses on misery or pitifulness, often evoking sympathy, while 不甲斐ない emphasizes lack of spirit or disappointing failure to meet standards, often with a tone of reproach.
だらしない だらしない means sloppy, undisciplined, or loose in behavior or appearance, whereas 不甲斐ない is about lacking courage, resolve, or ability, leading to a disappointing outcome.
Etymology Derived from 不甲斐 (fugai), meaning 'lacking spirit or worth', with the adjectival suffix ない. The kanji 不甲斐 is ateji; the exact origin of ふがい is uncertain, but it may be related to 腑 (entrails) and 甲斐 (worth, effect), suggesting 'no guts or worth'.
viscera, bowels
無 nothingness, none, ain't 
