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)

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

  • 不器用な人

    clumsy person

    不器用な手

    clumsy hands

    不器用な男

    awkward man, inept man

Context Sentences

彼は不器用で、新しいことを学ぶのが苦手です。

He is clumsy and struggles to learn new things.

不器用ながらも、彼女は決してあきらめませんでした。

Despite her clumsiness, she never gave up.

彼は不器用な言葉で、親に感謝の気持ちを伝えました。

With clumsy words, he expressed his gratitude to his parents.

Kanji Composition