Translation guide
Describes the inability to sense the mood, atmosphere, or social cues in a situation, often leading to inappropriate behavior or comments.
To describe someone who fails to pick up on the atmosphere or social cues, often acting inappropriately.
The most direct and common way to say 'unable to read the room'. Literally 'cannot read the air'. Often abbreviated as 'KY' in casual text.
彼は空気が読めないから、よく場違いなことを言う。
He can't read the room, so he often says inappropriate things.
To describe someone who says or does things without considering others' feelings or the situation.
To describe someone who is completely unaware of the emotional atmosphere or tension.
空気が読めない focuses on failing to grasp the social atmosphere or expectations. 無神経 implies a lack of consideration for others' feelings, often in speech or actions. 鈍感 is about being emotionally thick-skinned or slow to notice subtle cues, sometimes with a nuance of being unaffected by criticism.
KY is a slang term popularized in the 2000s. It's very casual and can sound dated or flippant. Use it only among friends or in informal online communication.
あの人は空気が読めなくて、みんなが困っている。
That person can't read the room and everyone is troubled by it.
Slang abbreviation for '空気が読めない' (Kuuki ga Yomenai). Used mainly in casual, often online, contexts.
あの発言は完全にKYだったね。
That comment was totally unable to read the room.
Dictionary form of '空気が読めない'. Used when describing the inability in a more general or attributive way.
空気を読めない人は、人間関係で苦労することが多い。
People who can't read the room often struggle in relationships.
Emphasizes the inability to read the atmosphere of a specific place or situation.
彼は場の空気が読めないから、会議でいつも変な提案をする。
He can't read the room, so he always makes weird suggestions in meetings.
Means 'insensitive' or 'tactless'. Describes a person who lacks consideration for others' feelings.
彼の無神経な発言に、みんなが傷ついた。
Everyone was hurt by his insensitive remark.
あんなことを言うなんて、無神経すぎる。
Saying something like that is so insensitive.
From English 'delicacy'. Means lacking delicacy or tact. Often used in spoken Japanese.
彼女はデリカシーがないから、平気で人の秘密をばらす。
She has no delicacy, so she casually reveals people's secrets.
Means 'not thoughtful' or 'not attentive'. Describes someone who fails to notice what needs to be done or what others want.
彼は気が利かないから、お客さんにお茶も出さなかった。
He's not thoughtful, so he didn't even offer tea to the guest.
Means 'insensitive' or 'thick-skinned' in terms of not noticing subtle emotional cues. Often used for someone who doesn't realize they are being disliked or causing discomfort.
彼は鈍感だから、自分が嫌われていることに気づいていない。
He's so oblivious that he doesn't realize he's disliked.
あの人は鈍感で、場の雰囲気が悪くなっても平気だ。
That person is insensitive and doesn't care even when the atmosphere turns sour.
Literally 'bad at reading the air'. A softer way to say someone struggles with reading the room.
私は空気を読むのが苦手で、よく友達に注意される。
I'm bad at reading the room, so my friends often point it out.