Translation guide
Describing a person, statement, or thing that cannot be relied on as honest or true. Japanese has many nuanced words for untrustworthiness, ranging from suspicious character to outright dangerous.
Describing a person who cannot be trusted, is suspicious, or unreliable.
The most common and versatile word. Means suspicious, shady, dubious. Can describe a person, situation, or thing.
あの人はちょっと怪しい。
That person is a bit untrustworthy.
怪しい勧誘に気をつけて。
Be careful of suspicious solicitations.
Literally 'cannot trust'. A direct and clear way to say someone is untrustworthy.
彼は信用できない。
He is untrustworthy.
その情報は信用できない。
That information is unreliable.
Stronger than 怪しい, implies something smells fishy or is clearly dubious. Often used for people or deals.
あのセールスマンは胡散臭い。
That salesman is untrustworthy/shady.
Means unreliable, undependable. Focuses on not being able to count on someone.
彼は頼りにならないから、重要な仕事は任せられない。
He's untrustworthy, so I can't entrust him with important work.
Literally 'dangerous'. Can imply a person is untrustworthy in a risky or threatening way.
あの男は危ないから近づかないほうがいい。
That man is untrustworthy/dangerous, so you'd better stay away.
Describing information, stories, or claims that are not reliable or likely false.
Means unreliable, not to be counted on. Commonly used for information, rumors, or predictions.
彼の言うことは当てにならない。
What he says is untrustworthy.
天気予報は当てにならないこともある。
Weather forecasts can be unreliable.
Means uncertain, unreliable. Slightly formal, often used for information or memories.
Describing a look, atmosphere, or gut feeling that something is not right.
Means shady, disreputable, often implying something indecent or not proper. Used for businesses, people, or content.
いかがわしい店には入らないほうがいい。
You shouldn't go into untrustworthy/shady shops.
怪しい is more about a gut feeling of suspicion, while 信用できない is a direct statement of lack of trust. 怪しい can be used lightly, but 信用できない is a serious judgment.
あの人、怪しいけど、まだ信用できないと決めつけるのは早い。
That person seems suspicious, but it's too early to decide they're untrustworthy.
There is no single Japanese adjective that perfectly matches 'untrustworthy' in all contexts. Avoid direct translations like 信頼できない (which is closer to 'unreliable' for objects) when describing a person's character; use 信用できない instead.
その情報は不確かだ。
That information is untrustworthy.
Means doubtful, questionable. Implies there is reason to suspect falsehood.
彼の証言は疑わしい。
His testimony is untrustworthy.
Same as 胡散臭い, but in kana. Very common in speech for a fishy feeling.
なんかうさんくさい話だね。
That sounds like an untrustworthy story.