ついてない
tsuite nai
The English phrase 'bad luck' translates to Japanese as ついてない (tsuite nai).
The phrase ついてない is most commonly used as an adjective-like predicate to describe a person's current situation or a specific event (e.g., 'I'm unlucky').
Meaning: misfortune (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, ついてない means 'not attached/not following'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ついてない is a colloquial contraction of the grammatically standard ついていない.
How do you pronounce it?
tsuite nai
Did you know?
- While ついてない describes general bad luck, Japanese has a specific word 厄年 'yakudoshi' for 'unlucky years' based on a person's age. People often visit shrines for a ceremony called 厄払い 'yakubarai' to physically wash away this predestined misfortune.
- Japanese uses the word 運 'un' for luck, which is the same character used for 'fate' or 'transport'. This suggests a worldview where luck is something that carries you forward through life.
- When someone says ついてない, they might accompany it with a gesture of waving their hand in front of their face or a slight sigh. This signals a resignation to fate rather than a complaint that requires a solution.
Examples in context
- 彼は不運な事故でけがをしました。He got injured in an unfortunate accident.
- 彼は希望を持っていたが、不幸にも成功しなかった。He had hope, but unfortunately, he didn't succeed.
- やっぱり今日はツイてないな。Seems like I'm having bad luck today.
- テストでまた落ちちゃったんだ。もう本当についてないよ。I failed the test again. I can't believe how unlucky I am.
- 今日はついてない。Kyō wa tsuite nai.I'm having bad luck today.
- あんな失敗をするなんて、ついてないなあ。Anna shippai o suru nante, tsuite nai nā.It's bad luck to make such a mistake.
Example conversation
Kenta lost his wallet on the street.
- 健太 Kenta財布を落としちゃった。Saifu o otoshichatta.I lost my wallet.
- 陽葵 Himariそれはついてないね。Sore wa tsuite nai ne.That is bad luck.
- 健太 Kenta本当に、ついてないよ。Hontō ni, tsuite nai yo.Really, I'm so unlucky.
- 陽葵 Himari元気をだして、健太くん。Genki o dashite, Kenta-kun.Cheer up, Kenta.
