Translation and Meaning of: 悪い - nikui
The Japanese word 悪い[にくい] is a term that piques curiosity both for its writing and its meaning. In this article, we will explore what it represents, how it is used in everyday life, and the contexts in which it appears. If you are learning Japanese or simply have an interest in the language, understanding this expression can be helpful for expanding your vocabulary and grasping cultural nuances.
In addition to explaining the meaning of 悪い[にくい], we will discuss its origin, practical usage examples, and even tips for memorizing it. Suki Nihongo, one of the best online Japanese dictionaries, provides detailed information about this and other words, making learning easier. Shall we get started?
Meaning and use of 悪い[にくい]
The term 悪い[にくい] is composed of the kanji 悪 (aku/maru), which means "bad" or "evil", and the suffix ～にくい, which indicates difficulty in performing an action. Together, they form an expression that can be translated as "difficult to do" or "complicated to accomplish". This construction is often used to describe situations or tasks that present obstacles.
For example, if someone says that a door is 開けにくい (akenikui), it means that it is difficult to open. The same pattern applies to verbs like 読みにくい (yominikui – difficult to read) or 聞きにくい (kikinikui – difficult to hear). This grammatical structure is quite common in everyday Japanese and appears in various contexts.
Origin and grammatical structure
The origin of the suffix ～にくい is linked to the verb 憎い (nikui), which originally meant "hateful" or "unpleasant". Over time, its usage evolved to express the idea of difficulty, giving rise to the form we know today. This semantic change is common in languages and helps to understand how certain expressions have solidified in modern Japanese.
Grammatically, ～にくい connects to the stem form of verbs, creating adjectives that describe the challenging nature of an action. It's important not to confuse it with other suffixes like ～づらい (zurai) or ～がたい (gatai), which also express difficulty but with different nuances. While ～にくい is more general, ～づらい has a more subjective tone, linked to personal discomfort.
Tips for memorizing and using correctly
An effective way to memorize 悪い[にくい] is to associate it with concrete situations. Think of objects or actions that are complicated in your daily life and try to form sentences like このペンは書きにくい (kono pen wa kakinikui – this pen is hard to write with). Repeating this type of construction helps to solidify the grammatical pattern.
Another tip is to observe the use of this structure in animes, dramas, or authentic materials. Often, characters use ～にくい in natural dialogues, which makes it easier to understand the context. Suki Nihongo also provides real examples, making learning more dynamic and applicable.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 酷い (Hidoi) - Horrible, terrible
- 惡い (Warui) - Bad, malicious
- 悪っぽい (Akuppoi) - Looks evil, has a bad appearance
- 悪質な (Akushitsu na) - Malicious, of bad nature
- 不良な (Furyou na) - Inadequate, of poor quality or behavior
- 不吉な (Fukitsu na) - Unfavorable, sinister
- 悪意のある (Akui no aru) - With malicious intentions
- 悪徳の (Akutoku no) - Depraved, vicious
- 悪霊の (Akuryo no) - Regarding evil spirits
- 悪魔の (Akuma no) - Relative to demons, evil
Related words
mazui
not appetizing; unpleasant (taste appearance situation); ugly; uninterrupted; clumsy; bangornative; reckless; premature
fuchou
bad state; not find out (i.e. an agreement); disagreement; smash; disorder; passed out; out of shape
Romaji: nikui
Kana: にくい
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n5
Translation / Meaning: hateful; abominable; poor looking
Meaning in English: hateful;abominable;poor-looking
Definition: It's not good. It causes feelings of guilt and discomfort.
Quick Access
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How to Write in Japanese - (悪い) nikui
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (悪い) nikui:
Example Sentences - (悪い) nikui
See below some example sentences:
Kansō shita kūki wa hada ni warui eikyō o ataemasu
Dry air can have a negative effect on the skin.
Dry air has a bad effect on the skin.
- 乾燥した - dry
- 空気 - I'm sorry, but there seems to be no text provided for translation. Please share the content you'd like translated from Portuguese to English.
- 肌 - pele
- 悪い - bad
- 影響 - influence
- 与えます - cause
Arukōru wa kenkō ni warui desu
Alcohol is bad for your health.
Alcohol is bad for health.
- アルコール - alcohol
- は - Topic particle
- 健康 - health
- に - target indication particle
- 悪い - bad, harmful
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Sansei no nomimono wa ha ni warui desu
Acidic drinks are bad for the teeth.
Acidic drinks are bad for your teeth.
- 酸性の - acid
- 飲み物 - Drink
- は - Topic particle
- 歯 - Teeth
- に - particle indicating target
- 悪い - bad
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Ashimoto ga warui to korobi yasui desu
If the floor is bad
It's easy to fall if your feet are bad.
- 足元 - means "around the feet" or "floor" in Japanese.
- が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
- 悪い - adjective that means "bad" or "evil".
- と - grammatical particle that indicates a condition or situation.
- 転びやすい - verb meaning "easy to fall" or "prone to tripping."
- です - linking verb indicating a statement or assertion.
Warui koto wo suru na
Bad Things Don't.
Don't do bad things.
- 悪い (warui) - Means "bad"
- こと (koto) - means "thing" or "subject"
- を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
- する (suru) - verb that means "to do"
- な (na) - particle indicating an order or prohibition
Warui koto o shite wa ikemasen
Don't do bad things.
Don't do bad things.
- 悪い - It means "bad" or "evil" in Japanese.
- こと - means "thing" or "matter" in Japanese.
- を - It is a *particle* in Japanese, used to mark the direct object of a sentence.
- して - It is the form of the verb "suru" (to do) in gerund in Japanese.
- は - It is a "partícula" of topic in Japanese, used to mark the main subject of the sentence.
- いけません - It is a polite form of the verb "iku" (to go) in Japanese, used to express a prohibition or a negative obligation.
Shimai ga warui
The situation is bad.
The end is bad.
- 仕舞い (shimai) - means "end" or "conclusion".
- が (ga) - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
- 悪い (warui) - adjective that means "bad" or "evil".
Tabako wo suu no wa kenkou ni warui desu
Smoking is harmful to health.
Smoking cigarettes is bad for your health.
- タバコ - tobacco - cigarette
- を - wo - direct object particle
- 吸う - suu - smoke, inhale
- のは - no wa - Topic particle
- 健康 - kenkou - health
- に - ni - target particle
- 悪い - warui - bad, harmful
- です - is (a Japanese copula, often used to indicate a state of being) Verb to be/estar
Kasui wa kankyō ni warui eikyō o ataeru kanōsei ga arimasu
Sewage can have a bad effect on the environment.
- 下水 (gesui) - wastewater
- 環境 (kankyo) - environment
- 悪い (warui) - bad
- 影響 (eikyo) - influence, effect
- 与える (ataeru) - cause, give
- 可能性 (kanousei) - possibility
- あります (arimasu) - there is, there is
Hito wo azamuku koto wa warui koto desu
It's bad to deceive people.
- 人 - means "person" in Japanese.
- を - Object particle in Japanese.
- 欺く - verb meaning "to deceive" or "to delude" in Japanese.
- こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact" in Japanese.
- は - topic particle in Japanese.
- 悪い - adjective that means "bad" or "evil" in Japanese.
- こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact" in Japanese.
- です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate an affirmation or a statement.
Other Words of this Type: adjective
See other words from our dictionary that are also: adjective
