Meaning

Primary

Bad

Alternatives

Substandard, Delinquent

Word Type

noun, な adjective, の adjective

Explanation

Something that's not good is bad or substandard. This usage is more formal and frequently paired with other kanji compounds. Alternatively, it can refer to someone who is a delinquent, in which case it is often used as a standalone word.

Reading

ふりょう
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 不良少女

    delinquent girl

    不良少年

    delinquent boy

    不良グループ

    a group of delinquents

Context Sentences

ビエト、今日はちょっと不良な感じのかみがただね。

It feels like Viet kind of has bad-boy hair today, don't you think?

ひんしつ不良のポテトチップスが半額で売ってたので買って食べたらおなかをこわしました。

Substandard potato chips were sold at half price, so I bought one and ate it. Then I got diarrhea.

あの不良少女は、急に成績が大幅に下がった後、ギャングの一員になったんです。

That delinquent girl’s grades suddenly dropped drastically and then she joined a gang.

Kanji Composition