1.
inconvenient; unsuitable; disadvantageous
Something that causes difficulty or is not favorable. Often used when a schedule, situation, or condition does not work well.
2.
improper; inappropriate; wrong
Something morally questionable or socially unacceptable. Often used in formal or business contexts for misconduct or scandalous behavior.
Combines 不 (not) + 都合 (convenience, circumstances). Functions both as a na-adjective (不都合な) and as a noun (不都合がある). The word carries a slightly formal tone and is common in business and polite speech.
Usage
Sense 1 is straightforward — something is inconvenient or unsuitable. Sense 2 has a euphemistic quality: calling something 不都合 often implies wrongdoing or scandal without stating it directly, as in the common phrase 不都合な真実 (inconvenient truth).
Common collocations
- 不都合がある — there is an inconvenience
- 不都合な点 — an inconvenient point
- 不都合な事実 — an inconvenient fact
- ご不都合 — inconvenience (polite)
Similar words
Related Words
Antonym:
好都合 (convenient, favorable)
Compare:
都合が悪い (inconvenient)
Compare:
不便 (inconvenient)
Compare:
不利な (disadvantageous)