Meaning

Primary

Clumsy

Alternatives

Unskillful, Awkward

Word Type

noun, な adjective

Explanation

You know how 器用 means "dextrous" and "skillful"? Well, this is when you're not those things. When you're not dextrous, you're clumsy and when you're not skillful you're unskillful.

Reading

ぶきよう
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)
ぶきっちょ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well. Just keep in mind that the reading of changes from to . If you're clumsy you'll get a lot of boo-boos (), get it?

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 不器用な男

    awkward man, inept man

    不器用な手

    clumsy hands

    不器用な人

    clumsy person

Context Sentences

十代は、不器用な私にとって、とても大変な時期でした。

My teens were the hardest years for an awkward person like me.

不器用な助手が、不器用な手つきで、いつものようにクソ不味いコーヒーをいれてくれた。

My clumsy assistant made very disgusting coffee with his clumsy hands, as usual.

私の主人は堅苦しくて不器用ですが、正直者です。

My husband is strict and clumsy, but he’s an honest person.

Kanji Composition