まずい
mazui
The English word "yucky" can be translated to Japanese as まずい (mazui).
The primary use of まずい is to describe something that tastes bad or is unpleasant to eat. However, it is also used more broadly to describe a situation that is problematic or "bad" in a general sense.
Meaning: causing aversion or disgust (adj)
Which one should you use?
While まずい refers to a bad taste or a problematic situation, it differs from terms like kimochi warui, which are used to describe a physical sensation of grossness or disgust. Additionally, the form まっずい is an even stronger way to express that something tastes really bad in informal settings.
How do you pronounce it?
mazui
Did you know?
- In Japanese, describing food as まずい is considered far more blunt and rude than saying 'yucky' in English.
- In certain contexts, まずい can be used to describe a 'bad move' in a game of Go or Shogi, referring to a strategic mistake rather than a taste.
- To soften the blow of saying something tastes bad, Japanese speakers often use the phrase あまりおいしくない, which literally means 'not very delicious'.
Examples in context
- この料理は不味いです。This dish is yucky.
- このコーヒーはまずいですね。This coffee tastes awful, doesn't it?
- このピザ、マズいよ！This pizza is yucky!
- この料理はまずいです。This food is yucky.
- まずいものを食べたくない。Mazui mono o tabetaku nai.I don't want to eat yucky things.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are tasting a new experimental dish at home.
- 蓮 Renこれ、すごくまずいよ。Kore, sugoku mazui yo.This is really yucky.
- 結衣 Yui本当？全然おいしくないね。Hontou? Zenzen oishiku nai ne.Really? It's not delicious at all.
- 蓮 Ren結衣もそう思う？Yui mo sou omou?Do you think so too, Yui?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、まずいと思う。Un, mazui to omou.Yeah, I think it's yucky.
