Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "わるい", "不調", "不作法", "陋習"
All represent the core concept "bad", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
わるい
悪い (warui)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
不調
ふちょう (fuchou)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
不作法
ぶさほう (busahō)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
陋習
ろうしゅう (rōshū)
N1 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "bad" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "わるい", "不調", "不作法", "陋習" based on context.
- わるい (悪い (warui) - Level: N5): Maps to "bad, evil, wrong" and is used when A general i-adjective for "bad".
- 不調 (ふちょう (fuchou) - Level: N2): Maps to "bad condition, poor form, out of order, discord" and is used when Refers to a poor physical or mental condition.
- 不作法 (ぶさほう (busahō) - Level: N2): Maps to "bad manners, impoliteness, rudeness" and is used when 社会的な場面でのマナーや礼儀が欠けている行為や態度を指します。相手に失礼な印象を与えることがあります。.
- 陋習 (ろうしゅう (rōshū) - Level: N1): Maps to "bad custom; evil practice; obsolete practice" and is used when Refers to old, outdated, or harmful customs and practices that should be abolished. Has a formal and slightly critical tone..
Context for "わるい"
今日は天気が悪いです。
The weather is bad today.
Context for "不調"
最近、体の不調が続いていて病院に行った。
I've been feeling unwell lately, so I went to the hospital.
Context for "不作法"
食事中に携帯電話をいじるのは不作法だ。
Playing with your cell phone during a meal is bad manners.
Context for "陋習"
その会社には長年続いている陋習がいくつか残っている。
Several long-standing bad customs still remain in that company.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "今日は天気が悪いです。" (Meaning: "The weather is bad today.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "わるい" is correct here because it represents "bad, evil, wrong" in the context: "The weather is bad today.".