1.
inconvenient; not a good time; to have a scheduling conflict
Used when a proposed time or arrangement does not work for someone due to their circumstances or schedule.
明日は都合が悪い。
Tomorrow doesn't work for me.
都合が悪ければ、別の日にしましょう。
If it's not convenient, let's pick another day.
急に都合が悪くなったので、欠席させていただきます。
Something has come up, so I'm afraid I won't be able to attend.
2.
unfavorable; disadvantageous; awkward
Used when a situation, fact, or outcome is unfavorable or embarrassing for someone, often something they would rather hide.
都合の悪い事実は隠す。
They hide the inconvenient facts.
自分に都合の悪いことは言いたがらない。
People don't like to talk about things that are unfavorable to them.
その情報が公になると都合が悪い人がいるらしい。
Apparently there are people who would be in trouble if that information became public.
A very common expression used daily for declining invitations and describing scheduling conflicts. Also used to describe situations that are awkward or disadvantageous for someone.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 都合が悪い日: a day that doesn't work
- 都合が悪くなる: for something to come up (scheduling)
- 都合の悪い話: an inconvenient story; an awkward topic
- 自分に都合の悪い: unfavorable to oneself
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 不都合な: inconvenient (adjective form) — more formal; often used in official or written contexts
- 都合がつかない: cannot make time — specifically about scheduling; cannot arrange one's time
OPPOSITE:
- 都合がいい: convenient; a good time — the positive counterpart