悪い

わるい
Alternative writings: 惡い
JLPT:N5
Frequency:
1

Unfavorable or undesirable; not good or welcome.

I-Adjective

Examples

今日は天気が悪いのでピクニックは中止になった。

The weather is bad today, so the picnic was cancelled.

その知らせは悪いものだった。

That news was bad.

彼の反応は少し悪い印象を与えた。

His reaction gave a somewhat negative impression.

2

Of poor quality; inferior or insufficient.

I-Adjective

Examples

このコピーは印刷が悪くて文字がぼやけている。

This copy has poor printing and the text is blurred.

安すぎる素材を使うと製品の仕上がりが悪くなる。

Using materials that are too cheap makes the product finish inferior.

味はいいが品質が悪い部分がある。

The taste is good, but there are aspects where the quality is poor.

3

Evil or morally bad; sinful or wicked behavior or character.

I-Adjective

Examples

人を傷つけるのは悪いことだと教えられた。

I was taught that hurting people is a bad/evil thing.

あの事件はとても悪い行為だった。

That incident was a very evil/wrong act.

彼は自分のした悪いことを悔いている。

He regrets the bad things he did.

4

Not attractive or aesthetically pleasing (often used as 'looks bad').

I-Adjective

Examples

その古い建物は手入れがされておらず見た目が悪い。

That old building looks bad because it hasn't been maintained.

そのシャツ、色が悪いから着ないほうがいいよ。

You shouldn't wear that shirt; its color doesn't look good.

見た目が悪いだけで、味はとてもおいしい。

It only looks bad, but it tastes very good.

5

To be at fault; to be blameworthy or in the wrong.

I-Adjective

Examples

今回のミスは君の方が悪いと思う。

I think you are more at fault for this mistake.

私が悪かった、ごめん。

It was my fault, sorry.

どちらが悪いかはっきりさせよう。

Let's make clear which side is at fault.

6

Poor at doing something; unskilled or bad at a particular activity.

I-Adjective

Examples

彼は料理が悪いから外食することが多い。

He's bad at cooking, so he often eats out.

英語が悪くても会話は練習すれば上手くなる。

Even if you're bad at English, practicing conversation will improve you.

運転が悪い人は無理にスピードを出すべきではない。

People who are bad drivers shouldn't drive fast.

7

Unprofitable or disadvantageous; not beneficial.

I-Adjective

Examples

その契約は会社にとって悪い条件だ。

That contract is a bad deal for the company.

長期的に見ると、この方法は悪い影響を与えるだろう。

In the long run, this approach will have harmful (unbeneficial) effects.

無駄にお金を使うのは悪い習慣だ。

Spending money wastefully is an unprofitable habit.

8

Colloquial interjection for apologizing ('my bad') or admitting fault; can also express reproach/unforgivable in certain contexts.

InterjectionI-Adjective

Examples

悪い、約束の時間に遅れた。

Sorry, I'm late for our appointment.

そんなことをしたら悪いよ!反省しなさい。

That's bad! Reflect on what you did.

悪かった。君の言う通りだった。

My bad. You were right.

Word Relationships