Translation guide
Describes something that is not firm, stable, or regular. Can refer to physical instability (like a shaky hand or wobbly table), emotional or mental instability, or irregular patterns (like unsteady progress or heartbeat).
Describing a person, object, or surface that is not steady, firm, or balanced.
General term for instability, used for physical objects, systems, or conditions. Can describe a wobbly table, unstable footing, or an unsteady economy.
この机は不安定で、すぐに揺れる。
This desk is unsteady and wobbles easily.
Onomatopoeic word for something wobbling or shaking, like a loose tooth or an unsteady table. Often used with する.
歯がぐらぐらしている。
My tooth is loose (unsteady).
Describes unsteady movement, like staggering or feeling dizzy. Often used for people walking unsteadily.
彼は疲れてふらふら歩いていた。
He was walking unsteadily from exhaustion.
Describes tottering or staggering, often due to weakness, intoxication, or injury. More dramatic than ふらふら.
酔っ払いがよろよろと道を渡った。
The drunk man staggered unsteadily across the street.
Describing a person's emotional state or mental condition that is not steady or consistent.
Also used for emotional or mental instability. Can describe mood swings or an unsteady state of mind.
彼女は情緒不安定だ。
She is emotionally unsteady.
Literally 'feelings sway', meaning to be emotionally unsteady or indecisive.
彼の言葉で気持ちが揺れた。
His words made me feel unsteady (emotionally).
Describing something that is not regular, steady, or constant, such as progress, heartbeat, or work.
Means irregular, not steady. Used for unsteady heartbeat, irregular work hours, or inconsistent patterns.
不規則な生活は体に良くない。
An unsteady (irregular) lifestyle is bad for your health.
Means to be uneven or spotty. Describes unsteady performance, quality, or effort.
彼の仕事にはむらがある。
His work is unsteady (inconsistent).
Literally 'not stable'. Used for things that fluctuate, like income, temperature, or internet connection.
収入が安定しない。
My income is unsteady.
Specifically describing a hand that trembles or a movement that lacks steadiness.
Means to tremble or shake. Used for unsteady hands due to nervousness, cold, or age.
緊張で手が震えた。
My hands were unsteady from nerves.
Literally 'hand slips/goes wrong', meaning to lose steadiness or precision in hand movement.
疲れて手元が狂った。
I was tired and my hand became unsteady.
不安定 implies a lack of stability or balance, often with a sense of precariousness. 不規則 simply means irregular, lacking a fixed pattern. For an unsteady heartbeat, 不整脈 (ふせいみゃく) is the medical term, but 不規則な脈拍 is also used.
English 'unsteady' covers many concepts. In Japanese, you often need to choose a word based on the specific type of unsteadiness: physical wobbling (ぐらぐら), staggering (ふらふら), emotional instability (不安定), or irregularity (不規則). Using 不安定 for everything can sound unnatural.