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バツが悪い (ばつがわるい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, i-adjective
awkward ; uncomfortable ; embarrassing
Describes a feeling of awkwardness or embarrassment, often when one feels out of place or has done something slightly wrong. Commonly used in the form バツが悪い or バツの悪い.
See also: バツの悪い
He gave an embarrassed laugh.
Written forms バツが 悪わる い
Most common spelling; バツ is often written in katakana for this expression.
ばつが 悪わる い
Hiragana spelling, also used.
Etymology The word バツ (batsu) likely comes from 罰 (batsu, 'punishment'), implying a sense of being in the wrong or deserving blame, combined with 悪い (warui, 'bad'). The exact origin is uncertain, but the expression conveys a feeling of being 'bad' due to a minor fault.
