Translation guide
The English word "misfortune" refers to bad luck or an unfortunate event. In Japanese, the most common and natural way to express this concept depends on whether you are talking about an unlucky incident, a general state of bad luck, or a tragic disaster. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by these nuances.
To refer to a specific unlucky happening or mishap.
The most direct and common translation for 'misfortune' as an unfortunate event or state. It can be used in both spoken and written Japanese.
彼は突然の不幸に見舞われた。
He was struck by a sudden misfortune.
不幸が重なって大変だった。
Misfortunes piled up and it was tough.
Emphasizes bad luck or an unlucky occurrence. Often used when the event feels like it was due to fate or chance.
それは不運な事故だった。
It was an unfortunate accident.
不運にも雨が降り出した。
Unfortunately, it started to rain.
Refers to a calamity or disaster, often implying a more serious or large-scale misfortune. Can be used for personal troubles as well.
災難を避ける方法を考えよう。
Let's think of ways to avoid misfortune.
彼は災難続きで疲れている。
He's exhausted from a series of misfortunes.
To describe a general condition of bad luck or being unfortunate.
Used as a noun or na-adjective to describe a state of bad luck. Very common in everyday speech.
彼は不運な人生を送った。
He led an unfortunate life.
不運が続いている。
My bad luck continues.
Can also describe a state of unhappiness or misfortune, but often carries a heavier emotional tone.
A very common, casual phrase meaning 'to have bad luck'. It's the most natural way to say someone is unlucky in daily conversation.
To express a grave or deeply unfortunate event, often with emotional weight.
Means 'tragedy'. Used for events that are not just unlucky but deeply sad and often with a sense of drama.
その事故は大きな悲劇だった。
That accident was a great misfortune.
悲劇を繰り返してはいけない。
We must not repeat such misfortunes.
Refers to a disastrous or tragic event, often used in news or formal contexts for accidents or calamities.
Can also be used for serious misfortunes, especially when emphasizing the unhappiness caused.
To refer to misfortune in an abstract or philosophical sense, often in sayings.
Used in proverbs and abstract discussions about misfortune.
不幸は突然やってくる。
Misfortune comes suddenly.
A slightly literary or old-fashioned word for calamity or misfortune, often used in proverbs.
不幸 (ふこう) is broader and can mean both 'unhappiness' and 'misfortune', often with an emotional nuance. 不運 (ふうん) specifically means 'bad luck' or 'unlucky', focusing on chance. For a simple unlucky event, 不運 is often more precise; for a tragic event, 不幸 is better.
彼は不運にも試験に落ちた。
Unfortunately, he failed the exam.
彼女の人生は不幸だった。
Her life was full of misfortune/unhappiness.
Using 不幸 for small everyday mishaps can sound overly dramatic. For minor bad luck, use 運が悪い (うんがわるい) or ついてない (casual).
電車に乗り遅れた。ついてないな。
I missed the train. What bad luck.
He was born into unfortunate circumstances.
The misfortune claimed many victims.
His death is a great misfortune for the family.
災い転じて福となす。
Turn misfortune into fortune.