不良
furyō
The English word 'delinquent' can be translated into Japanese as 不良 (furyō).
The term 不良 is a general expression for delinquent behavior or individuals who deviate from societal norms. While it can describe a person, it can also refer to the state of being non-performing or defective. If you are specifically referring to being delinquent regarding a debt or tax, you should use a different term entirely.
Meaning: late or failing to pay a debt or other financial obligation (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 不良 is composed of the character 不, meaning 'not' and 良, meaning 'good', literally translating to 'not good'.
Which one should you use?
If you want to express the specific sense of being 'delinquent' in the context of failing to pay a debt or tax, do not use 不良. Instead, use 滞納.
How do you pronounce it?
furyō
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture, particularly in manga, the term 不良 (furyō) often evokes the image of a stylish 'tough guy' with a specific rebellious aesthetic rather than just a common criminal.
- The word 不良 is frequently used in technical manuals to describe 'defective' hardware or 'bad' signals. In these contexts, it has no connection to criminal behavior or social rebellion.
- The word 滞納 (tainō), used for financial delinquency, uses the character 納 which relates to 'submitting' or 'offering' something, as in a formal tribute.
Examples in context
- うちのお姉ちゃん、中学校の頃、不良だったのよ。My elder sister was a delinquent in junior high school.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 不良 when describing someone's past behavior in junior high school.Tatoeba #11580314 by small_snow, translation #12010934 by Winter
- その非行少年は更生プログラムに参加している。That delinquent juvenile is participating in a rehabilitation program.
- 彼は学校で不良行為をしている。He is engaging in delinquent behavior at school.
- あの学生は完全にヤンキーだ。That student is definitely a delinquent.
- 近所に不良少年がいます。There are delinquent boys in the neighborhood.
- あの会社は不良債権をたくさん抱えている。Ano kaisha wa furyō saiken o takusan kakaete iru.That company is holding many delinquent loans.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are discussing a business report.
- 健太 Kentaこの不良債権はどう処理しますか？kono furyō saiken wa dō shori shimasu ka?How should we handle this delinquent debt?
- 結衣 Yuiまずは相手に連絡しましょう。mazu wa aite ni renraku shimashō.First, let's contact the other party.
- 健太 Kentaもう何度も連絡しましたが、返事がありません。mō nando mo renraku shimashita ga, henga arimasen.I've contacted them many times, but there is no reply.
- 結衣 Yuiそれなら、弁護士に相談してください。sorenara, bengoshi ni sōdan shite kudasai.In that case, please consult a lawyer.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
