1.
being bad at getting along in the world; social ineptness; poor life skills
The quality of being unskilled at navigating social relationships, workplace politics, or the practical demands of adult life.
彼は世渡り下手だ。
He's bad at getting along in the world.
正直すぎて世渡り下手なところがある。
He's so honest that he can be bad at navigating social situations.
世渡り下手でも、実力があれば認められることもある。
Even if you're socially inept, you can be recognized if you have real ability.
Composed of 世渡り (getting along in the world; making one's way through life) + 下手 (unskilled at). Implies someone who is too honest, awkward, or principled to play social games effectively. Often used with a degree of sympathy or self-deprecation, not purely as criticism.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 世渡り下手な人: a socially inept person
- 世渡りが下手: to be bad at navigating the world
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 世渡り上手: skilled at getting along in the world — the opposite; someone who smoothly navigates social and professional life
- 不器用: clumsy; awkward — broader; can refer to physical or social clumsiness
- 要領が悪い: inefficient; awkward at handling things — describes poor practical judgment more than social skills