Translation guide
Describes someone or an action that is clumsy, inept, or poorly executed, often in a way that causes mistakes or failure.
To describe someone who is habitually clumsy, awkward, or incompetent in their actions, or an action that is done in a clumsy, ineffective way.
The most common and versatile word for clumsiness or lack of dexterity, both physical and social. Can describe a person or an action.
To describe an action, attempt, or plan that is carried out incompetently, resulting in failure or a mess.
To describe a specific attempt or effort that is awkward, ineffective, or laughably bad.
不器用 (bukiyou) emphasizes natural clumsiness or lack of dexterity, often physical. 下手 (heta) is about lack of skill in a specific activity. A person can be 不器用 in general, but 下手 at cooking.
The English word 'bungling' is not directly equivalent to a single common Japanese word. It is usually better to describe the specific type of clumsiness or incompetence using words like 不器用, 下手, or まずい depending on context.
He is clumsy and often drops things.
不器用な手つきで包丁を使う。
He uses the kitchen knife with clumsy hands.
Means unskillful or poor at doing something. Often used for lack of ability rather than physical clumsiness, but can overlap.
Refers to a blunder or a person who often makes careless mistakes. More colloquial and implies a repeated pattern of bungling.
またやったの？本当にどじだね。
You did it again? You're really bungling.
A blunder or stupid mistake, often due to carelessness. Can describe the act or the person, but more often the mistake itself.
へまをして書類をなくした。
I made a bungling mistake and lost the documents.
Means 'poor' or 'clumsy' in the sense of being badly done or ill-conceived. Often used for actions, plans, or excuses.
彼の説明はまずかった。
His explanation was bungling.
まずいやり方で問題を悪化させた。
He made the problem worse with his bungling approach.
A somewhat formal or literary word meaning clumsy, poor, or unskillful. Often used for speech, writing, or attempts.
拙い英語で道を尋ねた。
I asked for directions in bungling English.
Literally 'bad handling', meaning clumsy or inefficient in execution. Often used for tasks or procedures.
彼の仕事は手際が悪い。
His work is bungling.
Means awkward, stiff, or clumsy in movement or manner. Can describe a person's actions or an attempt that lacks smoothness.
彼のダンスはぎこちなかった。
His dancing was bungling.
ぎこちない笑顔を作った。
He gave a bungling smile.
A stronger, more colloquial version of 下手, meaning terribly unskillful or bungling. Often used in casual speech.
彼の歌はへたくそだ。
His singing is bungling.