Translation guide
Describes something of poor quality, poorly made, or done carelessly. Japanese uses different words depending on whether you mean workmanship, materials, a plan, or a person's attitude.
To say that a physical item is badly constructed, uses cheap materials, or is generally of inferior quality.
A common adjective meaning crude, shoddy, or cheap. Often implies poor materials or careless construction. Used for objects, meals, accommodations, etc.
この机は粗末な作りだ。
This desk is shoddily made.
Furniture made with shoddy materials.
Colloquial adjective meaning flimsy, cheap, or shoddy. Often used for toys, gadgets, or anything that feels like it will break easily.
このおもちゃ、ちゃちですぐ壊れた。
This toy was shoddy and broke right away.
Means cheap-looking or tacky. Focuses on the appearance of low quality, not necessarily the actual durability.
そのバッグは安っぽく見える。
That bag looks shoddy/cheap.
Formal term for inferior or shoddy quality, often used in product reviews or official complaints.
粗悪な製品が市場に出回っている。
Shoddy products are circulating in the market.
To describe work that is done hastily, without proper care, resulting in poor quality.
Means half-hearted, sloppy, or irresponsible. Commonly used for work or attitude.
彼の仕事はいつもいい加減だ。
His work is always shoddy.
いい加減な修理でまた壊れた。
It broke again because of a shoddy repair.
Literally 'cutting corners'. Describes work where steps were skipped, resulting in shoddy quality.
手抜き工事が原因で事故が起きた。
The accident was caused by shoddy construction work.
Means sloppy, careless, or slipshod. Often used for management, accounting, or planning.
ずさんな管理が問題だ。
Shoddy management is the problem.
To say that an idea, excuse, or reasoning is weak, unconvincing, or poorly constructed.
Polite but often sarcastic way to say something is poor, pathetic, or shoddy. Used for excuses, performances, plans.
それはお粗末な言い訳だ。
That's a shoddy excuse.
Means unskillful or poor. Can describe a shoddy argument or poorly constructed logic.
下手な理屈でごまかそうとした。
He tried to deceive with a shoddy argument.
粗末な focuses on crude construction or poor materials. ちゃちな is colloquial and emphasizes flimsiness. 安っぽい is about looking cheap, not necessarily about function.
粗末な is for objects or treatment, not for describing a person's character. To say someone is shoddy in their work, use いい加減な or ずさんな.