Translation guide
The English word "crude" covers a range of meanings from "unrefined" and "roughly made" to "vulgar" and "rudimentary." This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression based on the intended nuance.
Describing language, jokes, or behavior that is offensive, indecent, or lacking refinement in a social sense.
The most common and direct word for "crude" in the sense of vulgar, coarse, or indecent. Used for language, jokes, and behavior.
彼の冗談は下品だった。
His joke was crude.
下品な言葉を使わないでください。
Please don't use crude language.
Specifically means obscene or lewd, often with a sexual connotation. Stronger than 下品.
その映画には卑猥なシーンが含まれている。
The movie contains crude scenes.
Means explicit, blatant, or crude in the sense of being too direct or undisguised, especially about sexual matters.
彼の露骨な発言に驚いた。
I was surprised by his crude remark.
A literary or formal term for vulgar, coarse, or base. Less common in everyday speech.
彼の野卑な振る舞いは許されない。
His crude behavior is unacceptable.
Referring to materials like oil, sugar, or ore that have not been processed or purified.
Specifically means "crude oil." Use this for petroleum.
原油価格が上昇している。
Crude oil prices are rising.
Means "crude sugar" or unrefined sugar.
粗糖は精製されていない砂糖です。
Crude sugar is unrefined sugar.
A general pattern meaning "unprocessed" or "raw." Can be attached to various nouns.
未加工の鉱石
crude ore
Means "coarse" or "rough" in texture or quality. Can sometimes translate "crude" for unrefined materials, but is less specific.
粗い塩
crude salt (coarse salt)
Describing something that is rudimentary, makeshift, or lacking sophistication in construction or design.
Means crude, shoddy, or cheaply made. Often implies poor quality or lack of care.
彼は粗末な小屋に住んでいた。
He lived in a crude hut.
その道具は粗末な作りだ。
The tool is crudely made.
Means rough, approximate, or crude in the sense of lacking precision or detail. Often used for estimates or methods.
Means simple, simplified, or makeshift. Can be used for crude devices or temporary setups.
Means primitive or crude in the sense of being at an early stage of development.
Describing a person or remark that is direct in a way that may offend, without necessarily being vulgar.
Means blunt, outspoken, or lacking tact. Implies a disregard for social niceties.
彼の無遠慮な物言いが気に障った。
His crude way of speaking rubbed me the wrong way.
Also used here for being too direct or undisguised, not necessarily sexual.
Literally "too frank." Can describe a crude remark that is honest but insensitive.
彼の率直すぎる意見は時に失礼だ。
His overly frank opinions are sometimes crude.
下品 is the most general term for vulgarity or crudeness in language and behavior. 卑猥 specifically implies sexual obscenity and is stronger. 露骨 means explicit or blatant, and can be used for both sexual and non-sexual directness.
When talking about unrefined materials, do not use 下品 or other vulgarity-related words. Use specific terms like 原油 (crude oil) or patterns like 未加工の (unprocessed).
彼は下品な冗談を言った。
He made a crude joke.
原油価格は日々変動する。
Crude oil prices fluctuate daily.
彼らは枝で粗末な避難所を作った。
They built a crude shelter from branches.
大雑把な計算では、費用は約100万円です。
By a crude calculation, the cost is about one million yen.
We set up a crude toilet.
彼らは原始的な道具を使っていた。
They used crude tools.
Her crude criticism surprised everyone.