ついてない
tsuite nai
The Japanese phrase for unlucky is ついてない (tsuite nai).
ついてない is commonly used as an exclamation when something minor goes wrong, similar to the English expressions 'Just my luck' or 'Bad luck'. The colloquial version ツイてない can also be used to express the feeling of not catching a break or experiencing continuous bad luck.
Meaning: having ill luck (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is the negative form of the verb tsuku (to attach/to follow), which implies that luck is not 'attached' to the person.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ついてない is a casual form. For a polite version, you can use ついてません. In much more formal contexts, you may use 不運 to mean unlucky or the specific formal term 凶事 when referring to unlucky or calamitous events. If you want an informal way to say one is having no luck, you can use 運がない.
How do you pronounce it?
tsuite nai
Did you know?
- In Japan, some numbers are considered inherently 'unlucky' regardless of the person, such as '4' because it is pronounced shi, which is the same sound as the word for 'death'.
- When people experience a streak of bad luck, they may visit a temple to perform 厄払い 'yakubarai', a ritual specifically designed to 'sweep away' or cleanse the unlucky energy.
- To describe someone who is 'unlucky' in a way that implies they are a magnet for trouble, Japanese people might use the expression 不幸体質 'fukō taishitsu', meaning an 'unlucky constitution'.
Examples in context
- ついてないや。I'm unlucky.Tatoeba #3507385 by arnab, translation #2203525 by CK
- 本当についてない！I really am unlucky!Tatoeba #4778012 by small_snow, translation #410605 by CK
- ついてない奴だなぁ。He's an unlucky guy.Tatoeba #10906618 by small_snow, translation #1870382 by sixtynine
- 彼は不運な人生を送っていた。He led an unlucky life.
- 今日は不運な日だった。Today was an unlucky day.
- 最近ツイてないんだよな。I've been really unlucky lately.
- 彼は本当に運がない。He really has no luck.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are talking about a bad day at a cafe.
- 蓮 Ren今日はついてないなぁ。Kyō wa tsuitenai nā.I'm having no luck today.
- 陽葵 Himari大丈夫？何かあったの？Daijōbu? Nani ka atta no?Are you okay? Did something happen?
- 蓮 Ren財布を家に忘れてきたんだ。Saifu o ie ni wasurete kita nda.I left my wallet at home.
- 陽葵 Himariそれは本当についてないね。Sore wa hontō ni tsuitenai ne.That really is unlucky.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
