Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'bad reputation' depends on whether you're talking about a person, a company, a product, or a general rumor. The most common and versatile word is 悪評 (akuhyou), but there are many nuanced alternatives.
To say that someone or something has a bad reputation in general.
The most direct and common translation for 'bad reputation'. It can be used for people, companies, products, etc.
あの会社は悪評が高い。
That company has a bad reputation.
彼は悪評を気にしている。
He is worried about his bad reputation.
Often used for products, services, or performances that are poorly received. Implies unpopularity or unfavorable reviews.
新作映画は不評だった。
The new movie had a bad reputation / was poorly received.
Literally 'bad name', often used for notorious people or places. Stronger than 悪評, implies infamy.
彼は悪名高いギャングだ。
He is a gangster with a bad reputation.
A common phrase meaning 'to have a bad reputation'. More colloquial than 悪評.
あのレストランは評判が悪い。
That restaurant has a bad reputation.
To express that someone's reputation has been damaged by a specific event or gossip.
Refers to a stigma or disgrace attached to one's name. Often used in phrases like 汚名を着せられる (to be branded with a bad reputation).
彼は汚名を着せられた。
He was branded with a bad reputation.
Literally 'bad rumor'. Used when the bad reputation is based on gossip rather than established fact.
彼女について悪いうわさが流れている。
There are bad rumors circulating about her.
Loanword from English, used for scandals that cause a bad reputation, especially for celebrities or politicians.
To describe someone or something that is well-known for negative reasons.
An adjective meaning 'infamous' or 'notorious'. Used directly before nouns.
彼は悪名高い犯罪者だ。
He is a notorious criminal.
Literally 'famous villain', used for someone widely known as a bad person.
彼は町で有名な悪党だ。
He is a well-known bad guy in town.
To express that a reputation has been harmed or lost.
To damage one's own or someone else's reputation. Often used reflexively.
彼は失言で評判を落とした。
He damaged his reputation with a gaffe.
To lose trust or credibility, which often implies a bad reputation.
あの事件で会社は信用を失った。
The company lost its credibility (and reputation) due to that incident.
Idiom meaning 'to hit rock bottom' (of reputation). Often used with 評判.
悪評 is the most general 'bad reputation'. 不評 is often used for things like products or performances that are poorly received. 悪名 implies notoriety or infamy, often for people or places.
Avoid directly translating 'bad reputation' as 悪い評判. While understandable, it is not idiomatic. Use 悪評 or 評判が悪い instead.
そのスキャンダルで彼の評判は地に落ちた。
His reputation hit rock bottom because of the scandal.
彼の評判は地に落ちた。
His reputation hit rock bottom.