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B1 adjective #7,500 más común 7 min de lectura

不衛生

Top 7,500

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos 不衛生 en 30 segundos

Explicación 不衛生 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '不衛生' (fuesei) often. Instead, you usually use '汚い' (kitanai), which means 'dirty'. '不衛生' is a bit too difficult for beginners because it has complex kanji and a formal tone. However, it is good to recognize that Japanese people care a lot about cleanliness. If you see this word on a sign in a hospital or a restaurant, just remember it means 'not clean' in a way that might make you sick. Think of it as 'Super Dirty' or 'Dangerously Dirty'. You might hear a teacher say it when talking about washing your hands. Just focus on the first kanji '不', which means 'No' or 'Not'.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more specific adjectives. '不衛生' (fuesei) is a 'na-adjective'. This means when you describe something, you add 'na', like 'fuesei-na mise' (an unsanitary shop). You might use this word when talking about health or basic rules. For example, if you are talking about why you don't like a certain cheap restaurant, you could say 'Ano mise wa chotto fuesei desu' (That shop is a bit unsanitary). It sounds more 'adult' than just saying 'kitanai'. At this level, try to remember that 'eisei' means hygiene, and 'fu' makes it the opposite.

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As a B1 learner, you should be able to use '不衛生' (fuesei) in more formal or serious discussions. This word is common in news reports about food safety or public health. You should use it when the 'dirtiness' you are describing is a health risk. For instance, in a discussion about environmental problems or city life, you might say 'Koushuu toire ga fuesei na no wa mondai desu' (It is a problem that public toilets are unsanitary). You should also be aware of its antonym, '清潔' (seikeitsu - clean/hygienic). At this level, you are moving from simple descriptions to expressing opinions on social standards.

At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance between '不衛生' (fuesei), '不潔' (fuketsu), and '汚染' (osen). '不衛生' is the word of choice for regulatory and health-related contexts. You might use it in a business presentation about food processing or in a debate about urban development. You should be comfortable using it with complex nouns like 'kankyou' (environment) or 'joutai' (condition). For example, 'Fuesei-na kankyou ga kansenshou no kakudai o maneita' (The unsanitary environment led to the spread of infectious diseases). You should also be able to read the kanji without furigana.

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At the C1 level, you can use '不衛生' (fuesei) to discuss systemic issues in public health policy or history. You might analyze how 'fuesei' conditions in the early 20th century led to specific government reforms. You should also recognize the word in academic texts or high-level literature where it might be used metaphorically, though it remains primarily a physical descriptor. Your usage should be precise, distinguishing between a lack of hygiene ('fuesei') and a lack of moral purity ('fuketsu'). You can also use it in compound words and formal reports without hesitation.

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At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '不衛生' (fuesei). You understand its legal implications in the Food Sanitation Act (食品衛生法) and can discuss the nuances of hygiene standards across different cultures using this term. You might use it in a professional medical or legal context to describe a 'breach of hygiene standards'. You are also aware of the historical evolution of the term 'eisei' and how the prefix 'fu-' has been used throughout the development of modern Japanese health terminology. Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

不衛生 en 30 segundos

A formal word for unsanitary or unhygienic conditions.
Commonly used in health, food safety, and medical contexts.
A na-adjective (fuesei-na) that implies a risk of disease.
Stronger and more clinical than the general word 'kitanai' (dirty).

The word 不衛生 (ふえいせい - fuesei) is a powerful Japanese adjective used to describe conditions that are unsanitary, unhygienic, or generally hazardous to health due to a lack of cleanliness. It is a compound word consisting of the negative prefix 不 (fu), meaning 'not' or 'un-', and the noun 衛生 (eisei), which means 'hygiene' or 'sanitation'. When you combine them, you literally get 'non-hygiene'. In Japanese society, where cleanliness is a core cultural value, calling something fuesei is a serious observation. It goes beyond just being 'dirty' (kitanai); it implies a risk of disease or a violation of health standards.

Grammatical Category: Na-Adjective (形容動詞). It requires the particle 'na' when modifying a noun, as in fuesei-na mise (an unsanitary shop).

このキッチンは非常に不衛生だ。 (This kitchen is extremely unsanitary.)

You will encounter this word in various contexts, ranging from restaurant reviews and health inspections to discussions about public infrastructure and personal habits. In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare uses this term in official documents to define standards for public safety. If a restaurant is labeled as fuesei, it is not just a matter of aesthetics; it suggests that the food preparation area might be contaminated with bacteria or pests. The nuance is clinical and objective, making it more formal than simply saying something is 'gross' or 'messy'.

Cultural Nuance: In Japan, the concept of 'Kegare' (impurity) historically influenced views on cleanliness. Modern 'fuesei' is the scientific evolution of this, focusing on germ theory and public health.

不衛生な環境で生活すると病気になりやすい。 (Living in an unhygienic environment makes it easy to get sick.)

Furthermore, fuesei is often used in the media when reporting on environmental issues, such as polluted rivers or poorly managed waste disposal sites. It carries a weight of social responsibility. If a public facility is described as fuesei, it often leads to immediate calls for reform or cleaning. For learners, mastering this word allows for more precise descriptions of health-related concerns, moving beyond basic adjectives into the realm of professional and social observation.

Kanji Breakdown: 不 (Non) + 衛 (Defense/Protect) + 生 (Life). Literally: Not protecting life. This deep etymological root explains why the word feels so serious.

Using 不衛生 (fuesei) correctly requires understanding its role as a na-adjective. Most commonly, it precedes a noun with the particle な (na) or ends a sentence with だ (da) or です (desu). Because it is a formal and somewhat technical term, it is frequently paired with words like kankyou (environment), joutai (state/condition), and shisetsu (facility).

Basic Pattern: [Noun] + は + 不衛生 + です。 (The [Noun] is unsanitary.)

その屋台は不衛生な感じがした。 (That food stall felt unsanitary.)

When describing a habit, you can use it to criticize behaviors that lead to health risks. For example, not washing hands or leaving food out for too long. In these cases, fuesei emphasizes the health risk more than the mess itself. It is also common in comparative sentences, such as 'This place is more unsanitary than that place,' using yori.

公衆トイレが不衛生なのは困ります。 (It's a problem when public toilets are unhygienic.)

Advanced Usage: In legal or medical documents, it might appear as part of a compound like fuesei-gyousha (unsanitary business operator).

Another common way to use the word is in the negative: fuesei dewa nai (it is not unsanitary). This is often used as a defense by businesses. However, in daily conversation, if you want to say something is clean, you would use seikeitsu (clean/hygienic) or kirei (clean/beautiful) rather than just negating fuesei. The word is heavily weighted toward the negative side of the spectrum.

彼は不衛生な環境を改善しようと努力した。 (He made an effort to improve the unsanitary environment.)

You will hear 不衛生 (fuesei) in several specific real-world scenarios in Japan. One of the most common is in news reports regarding food poisoning outbreaks. When a restaurant is shut down by a health center (hokenjo), the news will often cite fuesei-na kanri (unsanitary management) as the cause. This context reinforces the word's link to public health and safety laws.

Context 1: Food Industry: Health inspectors and kitchen managers use this word to describe violations of safety protocols.

この店は不衛生なので、営業停止処分を受けた。 (This shop received a business suspension order because it was unsanitary.)

Another place you'll encounter this word is in medical and nursing settings. Doctors might warn patients about fuesei habits that lead to infections. In nursing care, maintaining a seikeitsu (clean) environment is vital to avoid fuesei conditions that could harm elderly residents. It is also used in parenting, though perhaps more formally than 'kitanai'. A parent might tell a child that putting something from the floor in their mouth is fuesei.

Finally, the word is used in social and environmental activism. When discussing slums, disaster zones, or polluted areas, activists and NGOs use fuesei to highlight the need for better infrastructure. In these cases, it is a term of advocacy, suggesting that the current state is inhumane because it is not 'protecting life' (as per the kanji). It is a word that demands action.

Context 2: Public Facilities: Parks, public pools, and gyms are often monitored for 'fuesei' conditions to prevent the spread of germs.

プールの水が不衛生だと、皮膚の病気になる可能性がある。 (If pool water is unsanitary, there's a possibility of getting skin diseases.)

The most common mistake learners make with 不衛生 (fuesei) is confusing it with the simple adjective 汚い (kitanai). While both mean 'dirty', they are not always interchangeable. Kitanai is a broad term that can mean messy, visually dirty, or even 'unfair' (as in a 'dirty trick'). Fuesei is strictly about health and hygiene. If your room is messy with clothes on the floor, it is kitanai, but it might not be fuesei unless there is mold or rotting food.

Mistake 1: Overusing it for simple mess: Don't say 'fuesei' just because a desk is cluttered. Use it when there's a biological risk.

Incorrect: 部屋が不衛生だから片付けて。 (Clean up because the room is unhygienic - too strong if just messy.)

Another mistake is the grammatical category. Some learners try to use it as an 'i-adjective' (e.g., fueseikunai). Remember, it is a na-adjective. The negative form is fuesei dewa nai or fuesei ja nai. Also, be careful with the kanji. The second kanji ei (衛) is complex; learners often forget the middle part or confuse it with similar-looking kanji like jutsu (術).

Finally, using fuesei in very casual situations can sound overly dramatic or clinical. If you're at a friend's house and their bathroom is a bit dusty, saying it's fuesei might sound like you're accusing them of running a biohazard. In social settings, milder terms like chotto kitanai ne (it's a bit dirty) are usually safer unless there's a genuine health concern.

Mistake 2: Kanji Confusion: Confusing 衛生 (hygiene) with 衛星 (satellite). They are both pronounced 'eisei'!

Confused: 不衛星 (Non-satellite) vs 不衛生 (Unhygienic).

While 不衛生 (fuesei) is the standard term for 'unhygienic', there are several related words that offer different nuances. Understanding these will help you choose the right word for the right situation. The most closely related word is 不潔 (fuketsu). While fuesei is objective and clinical, fuketsu often has a more personal or moral connotation of 'uncleanliness' or 'filthiness'.

Comparison: Fuesei vs. Fuketsu: Fuesei: Focuses on health risks, bacteria, and standards. (e.g., unsanitary kitchen).
Fuketsu: Focuses on the state of being dirty or impure. (e.g., dirty clothes, unwashed hair).

彼は不潔な格好をしている。 (He is dressed filthily - refers to appearance.)

Another alternative is 汚い (kitanai). As mentioned before, this is the most common and general word for 'dirty'. It is used for anything that doesn't look clean, from a messy room to a muddy dog. If you want to describe something that is specifically 'polluted' (like air or water), the word 汚染 (osen) is used. Osen is a noun, often used as osen sareta (polluted).

Summary Table

不衛生 (Fuesei): Unsanitary (Health risk)
不潔 (Fuketsu): Filthy (Appearance/Impurity)
汚い (Kitanai): Dirty (General/Visual)
汚染 (Osen): Polluted (Chemical/Environmental)

川が工場排水で汚染されている。 (The river is polluted with industrial waste.)

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The word 'Eisei' (Hygiene) was popularized in Japan during the Meiji era to translate Western medical concepts.

Guía de pronunciación

UK fu.eː.seː

US fu.eɪ.seɪ

Flat pitch accent (Heiban), so it stays relatively level throughout.

Rima con

Keisei (Formation) Meisei (Fame) Teisei (Correction) Seisei (Refinement) Heisei (Era name) Kousei (Composition) Tousei (Control) Jousei (Situation)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'ei' as two separate vowels 'e' and 'i'. It should be a long 'e' sound.
Confusing the pitch with 'eisei' (satellite).

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 3/5

The kanji for 'ei' (衛) is slightly complex but common.

Escritura 4/5

Writing '衛' from memory takes practice.

Expresión oral 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward.

Escucha 2/5

Easy to distinguish in context.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

汚い綺麗不健康生活

Aprende después

清潔消毒除菌公衆衛生管理

Avanzado

防疫検疫細菌学滅菌汚染

Gramática que debes saber

Na-Adjective Modifying Nouns

不衛生な手 (Unhygienic hand)

Adverbial form 'ni'

不衛生に扱う (To handle unhygienically)

Negative 'dewa nai'

不衛生ではない (Not unsanitary)

Nominalization with 'no'

不衛生なのは困る (It's a problem that it's unsanitary)

Causative 'ni suru'

キッチンを不衛生にする (To make the kitchen unsanitary)

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Ejemplos por nivel

このトイレは不衛生です。

This toilet is unsanitary.

Uses 'desu' at the end of the sentence.

不衛生な手で食べないで。

Don't eat with unhygienic hands.

Uses 'na' to modify the noun 'te' (hand).

ここは少し不衛生ですね。

It's a bit unsanitary here, isn't it?

Uses 'ne' for agreement.

不衛生は体に悪いです。

Unsanitary (conditions) are bad for the body.

Uses 'fuesei' as a noun-like concept here.

お店が不衛生でした。

The shop was unsanitary.

Past tense of 'desu'.

不衛生な場所に行きたくない。

I don't want to go to unhygienic places.

Modifies 'basho' (place).

水が不衛生です。

The water is unsanitary.

Simple subject-predicate structure.

不衛生なのは嫌いです。

I hate unsanitary things.

Uses 'no wa' to nominalize.

不衛生な環境で病気になりました。

I got sick in an unsanitary environment.

Modifies 'kankyou' (environment).

キッチンを不衛生にしないでください。

Please don't make the kitchen unsanitary.

Uses 'ni suru' (to make).

不衛生な食べ物は危険です。

Unhygienic food is dangerous.

Modifies 'tabemono' (food).

この川は不衛生だから泳げません。

You can't swim in this river because it's unsanitary.

Uses 'kara' for reason.

不衛生な状態を直しましょう。

Let's fix the unsanitary condition.

Uses 'mashou' (let's).

彼は不衛生な習慣があります。

He has unhygienic habits.

Modifies 'shuukan' (habit).

不衛生なコップは使わないで。

Don't use unhygienic cups.

Modifies 'koppu' (cup).

どうして不衛生なのですか？

Why is it unsanitary?

Uses 'na no desu ka' for explanation.

不衛生な屋台で食事をするのは避けるべきだ。

You should avoid eating at unsanitary food stalls.

Uses 'beki da' (should).

その病院は不衛生だという噂がある。

There is a rumor that the hospital is unsanitary.

Uses 'to iu' (that says).

不衛生な管理が原因で食中毒が起きた。

Food poisoning occurred due to unsanitary management.

Uses 'ga gen'in de' (due to).

公衆衛生を保つためには、不衛生な場所を減らす必要がある。

To maintain public health, it's necessary to reduce unsanitary places.

Uses 'hitsuyou ga aru' (need to).

不衛生なゴミ捨て場にカラスが集まっている。

Crows are gathering at the unsanitary garbage dump.

Modifies 'gomisuteba' (garbage dump).

以前に比べて、その地域は不衛生ではなくなった。

Compared to before, that area is no longer unsanitary.

Uses 'dewa naku natta' (became not).

不衛生な器具を使うと感染のリスクが高まる。

Using unsanitary equipment increases the risk of infection.

Uses 'to' for conditional results.

彼は不衛生な生活を改善しようと決心した。

He decided to improve his unhygienic lifestyle.

Modifies 'seikatsu' (lifestyle).

不衛生な環境が子供たちの健康を脅かしている。

The unsanitary environment is threatening the children's health.

Uses 'obiyakashite iru' (is threatening).

その工場は不衛生な排水を垂れ流している。

The factory is discharging unsanitary wastewater.

Uses 'tare-nagashite iru' (discharging freely).

不衛生な調理場は法律で厳しく制限されている。

Unsanitary kitchens are strictly restricted by law.

Passive voice 'seigen sarete iru'.

災害時には避難所が不衛生になりがちだ。

Evacuation centers tend to become unsanitary during disasters.

Uses 'ni gachi da' (tends to).

不衛生な野良猫の死骸が放置されている。

The unsanitary carcass of a stray cat is left abandoned.

Uses 'houchi sarete iru' (left alone).

政府は不衛生な地区の再開発を計画している。

The government is planning the redevelopment of unsanitary districts.

Modifies 'chiku' (district).

不衛生な水源を浄化する技術が求められている。

Technology to purify unsanitary water sources is in demand.

Uses 'motomerarete iru' (is sought).

不衛生なトイレの使用を強いるのは人権侵害だ。

Forcing the use of unsanitary toilets is a human rights violation.

Uses 'shiiru' (to force).

不衛生な住環境は、社会的な格差を象徴している。

Unhygienic living environments symbolize social disparities.

Uses 'shouchou shite iru' (symbolizes).

不衛生な状況を黙認することは、管理責任を問われる可能性がある。

Overlooking unsanitary conditions could lead to being held responsible for management.

Uses 'mokunin suru' (to overlook).

都市化の進展に伴い、かつての不衛生な街並みは姿を消した。

With the progress of urbanization, the once unsanitary streetscapes disappeared.

Uses 'ni tomonai' (along with).

不衛生な慣習を打破するためには、教育が不可欠である。

Education is essential to break down unhygienic customs.

Uses 'fukaketsu' (indispensable).

その論文は、不衛生な環境と犯罪率の相関関係を指摘している。

The paper points out the correlation between unsanitary environments and crime rates.

Uses 'soukan kankei' (correlation).

不衛生な処理が施された医療廃棄物が問題となっている。

Medical waste that has undergone unsanitary processing has become a problem.

Uses 'hodokosareta' (applied/processed).

極めて不衛生な条件下での労働を強いられた。

They were forced to work under extremely unsanitary conditions.

Uses 'kiwamete' (extremely).

不衛生な食肉の流通を防ぐための検疫体制を強化する。

Strengthen the quarantine system to prevent the distribution of unsanitary meat.

Uses 'kyouka suru' (to strengthen).

不衛生な環境が蔓延する背景には、深刻な貧困問題が横たわっている。

Behind the prevalence of unsanitary environments lies the serious problem of poverty.

Uses 'man'en suru' (to spread/prevalent).

不衛生な状態の放置は、公衆衛生法に対する明白な抵触である。

Leaving conditions in an unsanitary state is a clear violation of public health laws.

Uses 'teishoku' (conflict/violation).

前近代的な不衛生さが、近代的な都市計画によって駆逐された。

Pre-modern unsanitariness was eradicated by modern urban planning.

Uses 'kuchiku sareta' (expelled/eradicated).

不衛生な環境に起因する疾病の撲滅に向けて、国際的な連携が必要だ。

International cooperation is needed toward the eradication of diseases resulting from unsanitary environments.

Uses 'kiin suru' (to result from).

不衛生な住居の提供は、倫理的観点からも許容しがたい。

Providing unsanitary housing is unacceptable from an ethical standpoint.

Uses 'kyoyou shigatai' (hard to accept).

不衛生な水がもたらす惨禍を、我々は忘れてはならない。

We must not forget the calamities brought about by unsanitary water.

Uses 'sanka' (calamity/disaster).

不衛生な環境における細菌の増殖プロセスを詳細に分析する。

Analyze in detail the growth process of bacteria in unsanitary environments.

Uses 'zoushoku' (multiplication/growth).

不衛生な食生活が、国民の健康寿命に与える影響は甚大である。

The impact of unhygienic eating habits on the nation's healthy life expectancy is enormous.

Uses 'jindai' (enormous/serious).

Colocaciones comunes

不衛生な環境

不衛生な状態

不衛生な習慣

不衛生な施設

極めて不衛生

不衛生な調理

不衛生なゴミ

不衛生な水

不衛生なトイレ

不衛生な管理

Frases Comunes

不衛生極まりない

— Extremely unsanitary beyond limits.

この部屋は不衛生極まりない。

不衛生な扱い

— Unhygienic handling (of food or items).

食材の不衛生な扱いは禁止だ。

不衛生に見える

— To look unsanitary.

そのレストランは不衛生に見える。

不衛生な暮らし

— An unhygienic way of living.

不衛生な暮らしは病気を招く。

不衛生を指摘する

— To point out unsanitary conditions.

保健所が不衛生を指摘した。

不衛生な場所を避ける

— To avoid unsanitary places.

旅行中は不衛生な場所を避けるべきだ。

不衛生なイメージ

— An unsanitary image/impression.

その店には不衛生なイメージがある。

不衛生な器具

— Unhygienic tools or instruments.

不衛生な器具を使用しない。

不衛生な服装

— Unhygienic clothing.

不衛生な服装で厨房に入らない。

不衛生な現場

— An unsanitary site or scene.

不衛生な現場を目撃した。

Se confunde a menudo con

不衛生 vs 不潔 (fuketsu)

Fuketsu is more about personal filth; fuesei is about health risks.

不衛生 vs 汚い (kitanai)

Kitanai is general dirt; fuesei is specifically unhygienic.

不衛生 vs 汚染 (osen)

Osen is environmental pollution (chemical/radiation).

Modismos y expresiones

"不衛生の極み"

— The height of being unsanitary.

このトイレは不衛生の極みだ。

Emphatic

"不衛生な手に落ちる"

— Metaphorically, to fall into unhygienic hands (rarely used literally).

食べ物が不衛生な手に落ちた。

Neutral

"不衛生を絵に描いたよう"

— The very picture of being unsanitary.

その台所は不衛生を絵に描いたようだった。

Descriptive

"不衛生な温床"

— A breeding ground for unsanitariness/bacteria.

湿気は不衛生な温床となる。

Formal

"不衛生を放置する"

— To leave unsanitariness unattended.

不衛生を放置するのは罪だ。

Formal

"不衛生な根源"

— The root cause of unsanitariness.

ゴミ山が不衛生な根源だ。

Formal

"不衛生が祟る"

— To suffer the consequences of poor hygiene.

不衛生が祟って入院した。

Neutral

"不衛生にまみれる"

— To be covered in/surrounded by unsanitariness.

不衛生にまみれた生活。

Literary

"不衛生を払拭する"

— To wipe away/eliminate unsanitariness.

不衛生を払拭するための大掃除。

Formal

"不衛生な影"

— A hint of being unsanitary.

その店には不衛生な影が漂う。

Descriptive

Fácil de confundir

不衛生 vs 不潔

Both mean 'not clean'.

Fuketsu is visual/personal; Fuesei is clinical/health-related.

不潔な服 (Dirty clothes) vs 不衛生な店 (Unsanitary shop).

不衛生 vs 汚い

Basic word for dirty.

Kitanai is subjective/informal; Fuesei is objective/formal.

汚い部屋 (Messy room) vs 不衛生な環境 (Unhygienic environment).

不衛生 vs 衛生

Root word.

Eisei is the positive 'hygiene'; Fuesei is the negative 'unhygienic'.

衛生を守る (Protect hygiene) vs 不衛生を嘆く (Lament unsanitariness).

不衛生 vs 不浄

Means 'impure'.

Fujo is used in religious contexts (Shinto/Buddhism); Fuesei is scientific.

不浄を清める (Purify impurity).

不衛生 vs 汚らわしい

Strong word for dirty.

Kegarawashii implies moral disgust; Fuesei is about germs.

汚らわしい不正 (A filthy/dirty fraud).

Patrones de oraciones

[Place] は不衛生です。

この部屋は不衛生です。

不衛生な[Noun]を[Verb]。

不衛生な水を飲む。

[Action]のは不衛生だ。

手を洗わないのは不衛生だ。

不衛生な環境が[Result]を招く。

不衛生な環境が病気を招く。

[Reason]ので不衛生だ。

掃除していないので不衛生だ。

不衛生極まりない[Noun]。

不衛生極まりない調理場。

不衛生な状況を[Verb]。

不衛生な状況を改善する。

不衛生な環境の[Noun]化。

不衛生な環境の深刻化。

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

衛生 (Hygiene)

公衆衛生 (Public Health)

衛生学 (Hygiene Science)

Verbos

衛生的にする (To make hygienic)

Adjetivos

衛生的な (Hygienic)

衛生的でない (Not hygienic)

Relacionado

清潔 (Clean)

不潔 (Filthy)

消毒 (Disinfection)

除菌 (Sterilization)

汚染 (Pollution)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in news, health, and professional settings. Moderate in daily life.

Errores comunes

Using 'fuesei' for a messy desk. → Using 'kitanai' or 'chirakatte iru'.
A desk with papers isn't unhygienic, just messy.
Writing '不衛生' as '不衛星'. → 不衛生
衛星 means satellite; they sound the same but are written differently.
Using 'fueseikunai' as the negative. → fuesei dewa nai.
It's a na-adjective, not an i-adjective.
Calling a person 'fuesei'. → Calling them 'fuketsu' or saying they have 'fuesei habits'.
It's more natural to describe the state or habit than the person directly with this word.
Using 'fuesei' for air pollution. → Using 'osen'.
Fuesei is for sanitation; osen is for environmental pollution.

Consejos

Context Matters

Always check if there is a biological risk before choosing 'fuesei' over 'kitanai'.

The 'Fu' Prefix

Learn other 'Fu-' words like 'fubenzu' (inconvenient) to see the pattern of negation.

News Keywords

When you hear 'fuesei', expect the next word to be 'mise' (shop) or 'kankyou' (environment).

Sound Professional

Use 'fuesei' in business or academic settings to sound more precise than 'kitanai'.

The Cleanliness Standard

Understand that the Japanese standard for 'fuesei' might be stricter than in other countries.

Na-Adjective Rule

Don't forget the 'na'! It's 'fuesei-na' not just 'fuesei' when modifying a noun.

The 'Ei' Sound

Associate 'Ei' (hygiene) with 'A' (A-grade). 'Fu-eisei' is 'Not A-grade'.

Stroke Order

Practice the stroke order of 衛 to make it look balanced.

Compounds

Look for 'fuesei' in the 'Living' or 'Health' section of Japanese newspapers.

Softening the Blow

If you must criticize, say 'chotto fuesei kamo' (it might be a bit unsanitary) to be less harsh.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Fu' as 'Foo!' (like 'Phooey!' for something gross) and 'Eisei' sounds like 'A-say' (A-grade safety). So, 'Phooey, NOT A-grade safety!'

Asociación visual

Imagine a kitchen with green mold and flies buzzing around. The sign on the door says '不衛生' in bright red letters.

Word Web

Bacteria Dirt Health Kitchen Hospital Wash Germs Sick

Desafío

Try to find three things in your house that are 'kitanai' but NOT 'fuesei' (e.g., a messy bookshelf).

Origen de la palabra

Comes from the Chinese characters (Sino-Japanese). 'Fu' (不) is a negation. 'Ei' (衛) means to guard or protect. 'Sei' (生) means life.

Significado original: Not protecting life (through cleanliness).

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using this to describe someone's home, as it is very insulting.

In English, we might use 'gross' or 'nasty' informally, but 'unsanitary' is the direct equivalent of 'fuesei'.

Food Sanitation Act of Japan Health Center (Hokenjo) inspections Tabelog (restaurant review site) cleanliness ratings

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Restaurant Reviews

不衛生な店
キッチンが汚い
虫がいた
掃除されていない

Medical/Health

不衛生な習慣
感染の原因
手を洗う
消毒が必要

Public Facilities

不衛生な公衆トイレ
ゴミの放置
悪臭がする
管理不足

Disaster Relief

避難所の不衛生
水の汚染
病気の流行
環境改善

Daily Life

不衛生な部屋
カビが生える
腐った食べ物
不潔な格好

Inicios de conversación

"最近行ったレストランで、不衛生だと感じたことはありますか？"

"不衛生な環境を避けるために、どんなことに気をつけていますか？"

"日本の公衆トイレは、他の国と比べて不衛生だと思いますか？"

"不衛生な習慣を直すには、どうすればいいと思いますか？"

"不衛生なことが原因で、病気になった経験はありますか？"

Temas para diario

あなたが考える『不衛生』の定義について書いてください。

昔と比べて、街が不衛生でなくなったと感じる理由を説明してください。

もし不衛生な店に入ってしまったら、あなたはどう反応しますか？

子供たちに衛生教育をすることの重要性について述べてください。

不衛生な環境が社会全体に与える悪影響について考察してください。

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Usually, no. If your room just has clothes and books everywhere, use 'kitanai'. If your room has old food and mold, then 'fuesei' is appropriate because there is a health risk.

It is formal and objective, but because it describes something negative, it can be very offensive if used to describe a person's home or habits. Use it carefully.

Fuesei (unhygienic) focuses on bacteria and health laws. Fuketsu (filthy) focuses on the appearance of dirt or a lack of personal grooming.

The kanji 衛 (ei) is made of 行 (to go) surrounding 韋 (leather). It's complex, so practice writing the center part carefully.

No, for air or water pollution, you should use 'osen' (汚染).

Yes, it can act as a noun (e.g., 不衛生が問題だ), but it is primarily used as a na-adjective.

Not exactly, but people might say 'kitana-sugi' (too dirty) or 'yaba-i' (dangerous/gross) in slang.

Yes, it is a very common term in medical settings to describe non-sterile or unsanitary conditions.

The most common antonym is 'seikeitsu' (清潔) or 'eiseiteki' (衛生的).

Yes, it is generally considered B1 because it involves intermediate kanji and formal social concepts.

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