Japanese Conversation · Level 95
60 words
Japanese word
悪質
Pronunciation
Romajiakushitsu
Meaning
- na-adjectiveunderhanded
Example
彼は悪質な手口を使います。kare wa aku shitsu na te guchi o tsuka i ma su
He uses underhanded tactics.
More examples
その業者は悪質な勧誘を繰り返しています。so no gyō sha wa aku shitsu na kan yū o ku ri kae shi te i ma su
That business repeatedly uses underhanded sales tactics.
Core concept
Describes conduct with a seriously bad quality, especially when it is deceitful, harmful, or deliberately unfair.
Common phrases
悪質な勧誘aku shitsu na kan yū
an unscrupulous solicitation
悪質な業者aku shitsu na gyō sha
an unscrupulous business
悪質な手口aku shitsu na te guchi
an underhanded tactic
悪質な商法aku shitsu na shō hō
an unscrupulous business practice
Similar words
卑劣hiretsu: Describes conduct that is morally low and unfair, often because it exploits a weakness.
陰険inken: Describes conduct that hides ill intent and harms others through deceit.
悪辣akuratsu: Describes conduct that is extremely cruel, harmful, or unscrupulous.
Definition in Japanese
人をだましたり害を与えたりする性質があり、非常にたちが悪いさま。hito o da ma shi ta ri gai o ata e ta ri su ru sei shitsu ga a ri hi jō ni ta chi ga waru i sa ma
Word origin
悪質 (akushitsu) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 悪 (aku, "bad") and 質 (shitsu, "quality"), giving the sense of a bad or harmful nature.
Usage tips
- In conversational Japanese, 悪質 (akushitsu) sounds more formal and accusatory than everyday words for bad, so it suits serious complaints rather than casual criticism.
Other meanings
- maliciousna-adjective
- unscrupulousna-adjective
Opposites
- 公正kōseifairna-adjective
Related words
- 悪質さakushitsusamaliciousnessnoun
- 悪質性akushitsuseimalicious naturenoun