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Quadruple VS

Synonym Boundary: "不良", "不調", "不作法", "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 "不良", "不調", "不作法", "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陋習 (ろうしゅう (rōshū) - Level: N1): Maps to "bad custom; evil practice; obsolete practice" and is used when Refers to old, outdated, or harmful customs and practices that should be abolished.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..
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
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: "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.".

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