Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "不良", "不作", "凶作", "陋習"
All represent the core concept "bad", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
不良
ふりょう (furyō)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
不作
ふさく (fusaku)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
凶作
きょうさく (kyōsaku)
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 "不良", "不作", "凶作", "陋習" based on context.
- 不良 (ふりょう (furyō) - Level: N3): Maps to "bad, poor (quality); delinquent (person); defect" and is used when Can be a noun meaning a defect or a delinquent person.
- 不作 (ふさく (fusaku) - Level: N2): Maps to "bad harvest, crop failure" and is used when 主に農業において、作物の収穫が少ないことや全くできないことを指します。比喩的に、成果が上がらない期間を指すこともあります。.
- 凶作 (きょうさく (kyōsaku) - Level: N2): Maps to "bad harvest, poor crop, crop failure" and is used when Refers to a poor agricultural yield due to unfavorable weather, disease, or other factors, indicating a severe reduction in harvest..
- 陋習 (ろうしゅう (rōshū) - Level: N1): Maps to "bad custom; evil practice; obsolete practice" and is used when Refers to old, outdated, or harmful customs and practices that should be abolished.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 "不良"
この製品には不良がありました。
This product had a defect.
Context for "不作"
今年は雨が少なかったので、米が不作だった。
This year, there was little rain, so the rice harvest was poor.
Context for "凶作"
今年は長雨のせいで米が凶作だった。
This year, the rice crop was poor due to the long rain.
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: "この製品には ＿＿＿ がありました。" (Meaning: "This product had a defect.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "不良" is correct here because it represents "bad, poor (quality); delinquent (person); defect" in the context: "This product had a defect.".