Japanese word

悪い

Pronunciation

Romajiwarui

Meaning

  • i-adjectivebad

Example

今日は天気が悪いです。kyō wa ten ki ga waru i de su

The weather is bad today.

Illustration for 悪い (bad)

More examples

天気が悪いです。ten ki ga waru i de su

The weather is bad.

この習慣は体に悪いです。ko no shū kan wa karada ni waru i de su

This habit is bad for your health.

Core concept

Describes something as falling short of what is wanted or expected, while also allowing the speaker to label their own action as blameworthy.

Common phrases

  • 気分が悪いki bun ga waru i

    feel sick

  • 行儀が悪いgyō gi ga waru i

    have bad manners

  • 仲が悪いnaka ga waru i

    be on bad terms

  • 成績が悪いsei seki ga waru i

    have poor grades

  • 評判が悪いhyō ban ga waru i

    have a bad reputation

Similar words

いけないikenai: Shows that something is unacceptable, not allowed, or unsuitable.
ひどいhidoi: Describes a condition or action as extremely bad, harsh, or unpleasant.
まずいmazui: Describes food as unpleasant in taste or a situation as difficult or likely to cause trouble.

Definition in Japanese

物事の状態や性質が好ましくなく、期待される水準に及ばないさま。人に迷惑をかけたことを詫びるさま。mono goto no jō tai ya sei shitsu ga kono ma shi ku na ku ki tai sa re ru sui jun ni oyo ba na i sa ma hito ni mei waku o ka ke ta ko to o wa bi ru sa ma

Word origin

悪い (warui) is a native Japanese word, not a loanword, and developed from the older form わろし (waroshi), which described something as "bad" or "unpleasant".

Usage tips

  • The phrase 悪いね (warui ne) often softens a casual apology or thanks for someone's help, so 悪い (warui) appears in everyday social exchanges as well as descriptions.

Other meanings

  • poori-adjective
  • sorryi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word