Translation guide
Describes something that is difficult to handle, carry, or manage because of its size, shape, or complexity.
Describing an object that is large, heavy, or awkwardly shaped, making it hard to move or use.
Commonly used for objects that are bulky and take up space, making them hard to carry or store.
このスーツケースはかさばって持ち運びにくい。
This suitcase is unwieldy and hard to carry.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'hard to carry around', often used for unwieldy items.
この机は重くて持ち運びにくい。
This desk is heavy and unwieldy.
Means 'hard to handle' and can apply to both physical objects and abstract things.
この道具は大きくて扱いにくい。
This tool is large and unwieldy.
Describing something abstract, like a system, organization, or process, that is too large or complex to manage effectively.
Literally 'cannot handle', used for situations or things that are out of control or too much to manage.
このプロジェクトは手に負えないほど大きくなった。
This project has become unwieldy.
Means 'cannot fully manage', often used for unwieldy systems or large amounts of data.
データが多すぎて管理しきれない。
The data is too unwieldy to manage.
A formal term meaning 'complex and troublesome', often used for unwieldy procedures or paperwork.
Describing something that is not graceful or efficient in its movement or shape, often due to poor design.
Means 'ungainly' or 'clumsy-looking', often used for objects or designs that are awkwardly shaped.
そのロボットは不格好で動きが遅い。
The robot is unwieldy and moves slowly.
Describes clumsy, awkward movement or behavior, can apply to people or machines.
かさばる focuses on bulkiness and taking up space, while 持ち運びにくい directly states difficulty in carrying. Use かさばる when the main issue is size/volume, and 持ち運びにくい when weight or shape is also a factor.
この布団はかさばる。
This futon is bulky (unwieldy because of volume).
この布団は重くて持ち運びにくい。
This futon is heavy and unwieldy to carry.
不器用 (ぶきよう) means 'clumsy' but is used for people, not objects. For unwieldy objects, use 不格好 or 扱いにくい.
彼は不器用だ。
He is clumsy.
この道具は不格好だ。
This tool is unwieldy/awkwardly shaped.
荷物がかさばりすぎて一人では運べなかった。
The package was too unwieldy to carry alone.
会社の官僚主義は手に負えなくなっている。
The company's bureaucracy has become unwieldy.
He is clumsy.
この道具は不格好だ。
This tool is unwieldy/awkwardly shaped.
手続きが煩雑で時間がかかる。
The procedure is unwieldy and time-consuming.
彼の運転はぎこちなくて、車が大きく感じる。
His driving is awkward, making the car feel unwieldy.