Vocabulary

What does 不 (ぶ, bu) mean?

不 (ぶ, bu) means un-, poor at (prefix read ぶ: 不器用 ぶきよう clumsy, 不用心 ぶようじん unguarded).

Quick facts
Readingぶ
Romajibu
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)N3
ぶ
N3 · estimated, JLPT frameworkbu

un-, poor at (prefix read ぶ: 不器用 ぶきよう clumsy, 不用心 ぶようじん unguarded)

Example sentences

  • The forest at night is eerie.

  • My little brother is a bit clumsy.

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Data sources and licences

Entries, readings and English glosses: JMdict — Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group (EDRDG), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences and their translations written by GoMe.

Voice: VOICEVOX Nemo.

N5–N1 levels on this page are estimates based on the JLPT framework, drawn from community benchmarks. GoMe Nihongo is not affiliated with the Japan Foundation or JEES, which administer the JLPT.