Translation guide
Describes a person lacking skill, training, or experience in a particular area. Japanese expressions vary by whether the focus is on being a beginner, being clumsy, lacking technique, or being unprofessional.
To describe someone who is not good at something due to lack of skill or talent.
The most common and versatile word for 'unskilled' or 'poor at' something. Often used with the particle が to indicate what one is bad at.
彼は料理が下手だ。
He is unskilled at cooking.
私は絵を描くのが下手です。
I am unskilled at drawing.
Implies not only lack of skill but also a personal dislike or discomfort with the activity. Softer than 下手.
人前で話すのは苦手です。
I'm unskilled at (and uncomfortable with) speaking in public.
Means clumsy or lacking dexterity, often used for manual tasks. Can also describe social awkwardness.
彼は不器用で、細かい作業ができない。
He is unskilled and cannot do detailed work.
Literally 'unripe', implies immaturity or lack of experience in a skill. More formal and often used in professional contexts.
未熟な技術では、この仕事は任せられない。
With unskilled technique, I cannot entrust this job to you.
To describe someone who is new to a field or task and has not yet developed skills.
Means 'inexperienced' or 'without experience'. Commonly used in job postings or when stating one's background.
未経験者でも応募できます。
Even unskilled (inexperienced) people can apply.
彼は営業未経験だ。
He is unskilled (inexperienced) in sales.
Means 'amateur' or 'layperson', contrasting with a professional. Can imply lack of skill or knowledge.
Refers to a novice or beginner who has just started out, often in a profession or art. Literally 'just started running'.
To describe work or output that shows lack of skill, often in a critical sense.
Means 'poor', 'clumsy', or 'unskillful'. Often used to humbly describe one's own work or to criticize something as amateurish.
拙い文章で申し訳ありません。
I apologize for my unskilled writing.
彼の説明は拙かった。
His explanation was unskilled (poor).
Means 'crude', 'rough', or 'shoddy'. Describes something made without care or skill.
A very blunt and derogatory way to say 'unskilled' or 'sucks at'. Stronger than 下手.
Avoid using this in polite or formal situations; it can be offensive.
下手 (へた) is a straightforward statement of lack of skill. 苦手 (にがて) adds a nuance of personal dislike or discomfort. Use 苦手 when you want to soften the statement or imply you avoid the activity.
The English phrase 'unskilled labor' is often translated as 単純労働 (たんじゅんろうどう, simple labor) or 未熟練労働 (みじゅくれんろうどう), not a direct adjective + noun combination. Using 未熟な労働 would be unnatural.
彼は単純労働に従事している。
He is engaged in unskilled labor.
彼は単純労働に従事している。
He is engaged in unskilled labor.
素人には難しい修理だ。
It's a difficult repair for an unskilled person.
駆け出しのプログラマーです。
I'm an unskilled (novice) programmer.
It's furniture of unskilled (shoddy) construction.
あいつの運転は下手くそだ。
That guy's driving is unskilled (terrible).