Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "悪い", "不作法", "凶作", "陋習"
All represent the core concept "bad", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
悪い
わるい (warui)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
不作法
ぶさほう (busahō)
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 "悪い", "不作法", "凶作", "陋習" based on context.
- 悪い (わるい (warui) - Level: N5): Maps to "bad, wrong" and is used when Describes something negative, poor quality, or incorrect. Can also be used to apologize informally.
- 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。.
- 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陋習 (ろうしゅう (rōshū) - Level: N1): Maps to "bad custom; evil practice; obsolete practice" and is used when Refers to old, outdated, or harmful customs and practices that should be abolished.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 "悪い"
天気が悪いです。
The weather is bad.
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 "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: "天気が ＿＿＿ です。" (Meaning: "The weather is bad.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "悪い" is correct here because it represents "bad, wrong" in the context: "The weather is bad.".