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B1 adjective #5,000 mais comum 6 min de leitura

不調な

Out of condition, bad shape.

At the A1 level, you likely won't use 'fuchō' often. You would usually say 'guai ga warui' (I feel bad) or 'dame' (no good). However, you might hear it in very simple contexts like 'karada ga fuchō' (body is not good). At this stage, just recognize that 'fu' means 'not' and 'chō' is related to 'condition'. If you see 'fuchō', think 'not okay'.
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'fuchō' to describe your health more precisely to a doctor or teacher. Instead of just 'sick', you can say 'taichō ga fuchō desu' to mean 'I am not in good shape'. You might also see it in simple news headlines about sports players. You should learn that it is a na-adjective, so you say 'fuchō-na hito'.
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At the B1 level, you should master the various domains of 'fuchō'. You should be able to use it to describe a malfunctioning machine, a slump in sports, and failed business negotiations (fuchō ni owaru). You understand that 'fuchō' is more formal than 'guai ga warui' and is used in professional settings. You can explain *why* something is 'fuchō'.
At the B2 level, you use 'fuchō' naturally in discussions about the economy or social issues. You understand collocations like 'keiei-fuchō' (business slump) or 'seishin-teki fuchō' (mental slump). You can differentiate between 'fuchō' (poor condition) and 'koshō' (mechanical breakdown) or 'furyō' (bad quality/failure) in complex sentences.
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At the C1 level, you use 'fuchō' to describe nuanced states of systemic failure. You might use it in literary or academic contexts to describe a 'lack of harmony' in a relationship or a political system. You are comfortable using the noun form 'fuchō' in complex structures like 'fuchō no gen'in o kyūmei suru' (investigating the cause of the slump).
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At the C2 level, 'fuchō' is a versatile tool in your vocabulary. You can use it metaphorically to describe the 'out of tune' nature of a society or a philosophical concept. You understand its etymological roots in music and harmony and can play with its nuances in high-level debate, distinguishing it perfectly from 'teimei', 'nankō', and 'shittai'.
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Exemplos Notas e dicas

不調な em 30 segundos

  • Fuchō means 'out of condition' or 'not in good shape'.
  • It applies to health, machines, sports, and business deals.
  • It is a na-adjective (fuchō-na) or a noun (fuchō da).
  • Commonly used in 'fuchō ni owaru' to mean 'to end in failure'.

The Japanese word 不調 (fuchō), often used as the na-adjective 不調な (fuchō-na), is a multifaceted term that describes a state where something is not functioning at its usual or expected level. At its core, it signifies a lack of harmony or a breakdown in the 'tone' (調) of a system, whether that system is biological, mechanical, or social. Unlike words that imply total failure or destruction, fuchō suggests a 'slump' or 'bad shape' where the entity is still operational but performing poorly.

Physical Health
When your body feels 'off'—perhaps you have a slight headache, fatigue, or just a general sense of malaise—you are in a state of taichō-fuchō (physical un-wellness). It is the perfect word for when you aren't 'sick' (byōki) enough for a hospital, but not 'well' (genki) enough to work effectively.

最近、どうも体の不調な日が続いています。
(Lately, I've had a string of days where my body just feels out of condition.)

Performance & Sports
In the world of sports or professional work, fuchō refers to a slump. A baseball player who can't hit the ball or a salesperson failing to meet quotas is experiencing a period of fuchō. It highlights the gap between their potential and their current reality.

Furthermore, the word extends to mechanical and systemic contexts. If a car engine is making a strange noise but still running, it is fuchō. If business negotiations are stalling and not reaching an agreement, they are described as nankō (difficult sailing) or simply that the progress is fuchō. It is a word that captures the friction in the gears of life.

エンジンの不調な音が気になります。
(The sound of the malfunctioning engine is worrying me.)

Grammatically, 不調 primarily functions as a na-adjective or a noun. When modifying a noun directly, we use 不調な (fuchō-na). However, in daily conversation, it is very common to see it used as 不調だ (fuchō da) or 不調に終わる (fuchō ni owaru), meaning 'to end in failure' or 'to break down'.

Attributive Use (Adjective + Noun)
This is used to describe a specific entity currently in a bad state.
Example: Fuchō-na kikai (A malfunctioning machine).

不調な出だしでしたが、後半は持ち直しました。
(It was a poor start, but things picked up in the second half.)

The 'Ni Owaru' Pattern
This is a very common collocation in business and politics. When negotiations or talks fail to reach a conclusion, they 'end in un-harmony'.
Example: Kōshō wa fuchō ni owatta (The negotiations ended in failure).

When talking about health, you will often hear 体調が不調だ (taichō ga fuchō da), although 体調が悪い (taichō ga warui) is more common in casual speech. Fuchō adds a nuance of 'not being at one's best' rather than just 'feeling sick'. It is frequently used by athletes to describe a slump.

彼は今シーズン、ずっと不調なままです。
(He has been in a slump throughout this entire season.)

You will encounter fuchō in three primary domains: news broadcasts, sports commentary, and the workplace. In the news, it is used for high-level failures like diplomatic talks or economic stagnation. In sports, it's the standard term for a star player who isn't performing. In the office, it's used for technical glitches or personal health updates.

Sports Commentary
Commentators will say, 'Ace no Tanaka-senshu wa kyo mo fuchō desu ne' (The star player Tanaka is out of form today as well, isn't he?). It highlights the disappointment of expected performance not being met.

エース投手が不調なため、試合に負けてしまった。
(Because the ace pitcher was in bad form, we lost the match.)

In a corporate setting, fuchō is used to describe systems. If the internal server is slow or the company's sales are dipping, management might call it a keiei-fuchō (management/business slump). It is a formal, slightly detached way to describe problems.

Business Context
Used in reports: 'Uriage fuchō ni yori...' (Due to the slump in sales...). It sounds more analytical than saying 'sales are bad'.

パソコンの不調な原因がわかりません。
(I don't know the cause of the PC's malfunction.)

The most common mistake learners make is using fuchō when they should use koshō (broken) or byōki (ill). Fuchō implies the thing is still working, just not well. If your phone won't turn on at all, it's not fuchō; it's koshō (broken/malfunctioned).

Fuchō vs. Koshō
Fuchō = Sluggish, glitchy, poor performance.
Koshō = Broken, out of order, needs repair to function at all.

× スマホが不調なので、電源が入りません。
○ スマホが故障しているので、電源が入りません。
(Correct: The phone is broken [koshō], so it won't turn on.)

Another mistake is using fuchō for emotional 'bad moods' without physical symptoms. While it can describe mental health slumps, if you are just angry or sad, kigen ga warui (bad mood) is more appropriate. Fuchō usually implies a physiological or functional decline.

Fuchō vs. Taichō-furyō
'Taichō-furyō' is a noun phrase specifically for health. 'Fuchō' is broader. You can say 'Taichō ga fuchō da', but you can't say 'Kikai ga taichō-furyō da' (Machines don't have 'taichō' or body condition).

Japanese has many words for 'bad condition'. Choosing the right one depends on whether you're talking about a machine, a person, or a business deal.

1. 具合が悪い (Guai ga warui)
The most common way to say 'feel unwell' or 'something is wrong'. It is very versatile but less formal than fuchō.
2. スランプ (Suranpu)
Borrowed from English 'slump'. Used specifically for athletes or creators who are going through a period of low productivity or performance.
3. 難航する (Nankō suru)
Literally 'difficult sailing'. Used for projects or negotiations that are hitting obstacles and not moving forward smoothly.

交渉が不調なまま終わってしまった。
(The negotiations ended while still in a state of failure/no-agreement.)

When you want to emphasize a 'total breakdown' of a relationship or a deal, you might use 決裂 (ketsuretsu). If you want to say someone is 'not in top form' but still okay, 本調子ではない (hon-chōshi de wa nai) is a very natural alternative.

Curiosidade

The character '調' also appears in 'shōyu' (soy sauce) in some contexts, but here it relates to 'investigate' or 'tune'. The concept of 'chō' is central to Japanese culture, representing the balance of the universe.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ɸɯ.tɕoː/
US /fu.tʃoʊ/
Pitch accent is Heiban (Flat). The pitch stays relatively level after the first syllable.
Rima com
Buchō (Department head) Kōchō (Good condition) Shōchō (Symbol) Hōchō (Kitchen knife) Jōchō (Atmosphere) Kyōchō (Emphasis) Yōchō (Meandering) Gōchō (Strong-willed)
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing 'fu' as a hard English 'f' with teeth on lips.
  • Shortening the 'ō' in 'chō' to a short 'o'.
  • Misplacing the pitch accent on the first syllable.
  • Confusing 'fuchō' with 'fuchū' (inattentive).
  • Confusing 'fuchō' with 'buchō' (department head).
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Exemplos por nível

1

今日は体の不調を感じます。

Today I feel a body malfunction (not in good shape).

Simple noun + particle + verb.

2

不調ですか？

Are you in bad shape?

Question form of the noun.

3

不調なときは休みます。

When I am in bad shape, I rest.

Na-adjective modifying 'toki' (time).

4

カメラが不調です。

The camera is not working well.

Describing a device's condition.

5

不調なペンです。

It's a malfunctioning pen.

Attributive use.

6

足が不調です。

My leg is in bad condition.

Body part + ga + fuchō.

7

不調な日は嫌いです。

I hate days when I'm in bad shape.

Modifying 'hi' (day).

8

不調ではありません。

I am not in bad shape.

Negative form.

1

不調なエンジンを直しました。

I fixed the malfunctioning engine.

Direct object with 'o'.

2

最近、ずっと不調なんです。

Lately, I've been in bad shape the whole time.

Using 'n desu' for explanation.

3

不調なときは無理をしないでください。

Please don't overdo it when you're in bad shape.

Negative request form.

4

彼は不調な選手です。

He is a player in a slump.

Describing a person's state.

5

機械の不調で仕事が遅れました。

Work was delayed due to machine malfunction.

Using 'de' to show cause.

6

不調な天気が続いています。

Bad weather (unstable) is continuing.

Metaphorical use for weather.

7

不調なパソコンを買い替えました。

I replaced the malfunctioning PC.

Past tense verb.

8

体のどこが不調なのですか？

Which part of your body is in bad shape?

Interrogative 'doko'.

1

不調な経済を立て直すのは難しい。

It is difficult to rebuild a failing economy.

Abstract noun modification.

2

話し合いは不調に終わりました。

The discussion ended in failure (no agreement).

Collocation 'ni owaru'.

3

不調な原因を調査する必要があります。

It is necessary to investigate the cause of the malfunction.

Noun + 'o' + verb phrase.

4

精神的に不調な時期がありました。

There was a time when I was mentally in a slump.

Adverbial 'seishinteki ni'.

5

不調なときは、まず睡眠をとることだ。

When in bad shape, the first thing is to get sleep.

Giving advice with 'koto da'.

6

彼は今、絶不調な状態です。

He is currently in a state of terrible slump.

Using the prefix 'zetsu-' (absolute/extreme).

7

不調な機械を無理に動かしてはいけない。

You must not force a malfunctioning machine to run.

Prohibition form 'te wa ikenai'.

8

昨日の試合は不調な立ち上がりだった。

Yesterday's game had a poor start.

Compound noun 'tachi-agari'.

1

交渉が不調に終わり、ストライキが決行された。

Negotiations failed, and a strike was carried out.

Conjunction 'te' for sequence.

2

不調な経営を立て直すために、新社長が就任した。

A new president took office to rebuild the failing business.

Purpose clause 'tame ni'.

3

彼は不調な時期を乗り越えて、優勝した。

He overcame his slump and won the championship.

Compound verb 'nori-koeru'.

4

不調なサインを見逃さないことが大切だ。

It is important not to overlook signs of malfunction.

Nominalized clause with 'koto'.

5

最近の不調な売り上げは、季節のせいかもしれない。

The recent slump in sales might be due to the season.

Speculation with 'kamoshirenai'.

6

不調なまま放置すると、故障の原因になる。

Leaving it in a bad state will cause a breakdown.

Conditional 'to'.

7

内閣の支持率が不調なのは、増税の影響だろう。

The poor cabinet approval rating is likely due to the tax hike.

Explanatory 'no wa... darō'.

8

不調な心身を癒やすために、温泉に行った。

I went to a hot spring to heal my troubled mind and body.

Compound noun 'shinshin' (mind and body).

1

長引く不調な景気に、国民の不満が高まっている。

Dissatisfaction is rising among citizens due to the prolonged economic slump.

Participial adjective 'nagabiku' (prolonged).

2

不調な外交関係を改善する糸口が見つからない。

No clue can be found to improve the failing diplomatic relations.

Noun 'itoguchi' (clue/start).

3

不調なプロジェクトを継続するか、撤退するかで揺れている。

We are wavering between continuing the failing project or withdrawing.

Alternative structure 'ka... ka de'.

4

不調なコンディションを考慮して、出場を辞退した。

Considering his poor condition, he withdrew from the competition.

Te-form for reason 'kōryo shite'.

5

不調な組織に共通する特徴を分析した。

I analyzed the characteristics common to failing organizations.

Relative clause.

6

一度不調に陥ると、そこから抜け出すのは容易ではない。

Once you fall into a slump, it's not easy to get out.

Conditional 'to' + 'yōi de wa nai'.

7

不調なのは、システムの根幹に問題があるからだ。

The reason for the malfunction is a problem at the core of the system.

Explanatory 'kara da'.

8

不調な市場において、生き残るための戦略を練る。

In a sluggish market, we devise a strategy for survival.

Formal verb 'neru' (to devise/knead).

1

不調な社会情勢が、若者の将来不安を煽っている。

The unstable social situation is fueling anxiety about the future among the youth.

Causative nuance with 'aoru'.

2

不調な合意形成プロセスが、政策の停滞を招いている。

The failing consensus-building process is leading to policy stagnation.

Academic vocabulary 'gōi keisei'.

3

身体の不調な兆候を、単なる疲労と片付けてはいけない。

One must not dismiss signs of physical malfunction as mere fatigue.

Grammar 'to katazukete wa ikenai'.

4

不調な歯車が一つあるだけで、全体が機能不全に陥る。

Just one malfunctioning gear can cause the entire system to fall into dysfunction.

Metaphorical usage.

5

不調な精神を抱えながらも、彼は創作活動を止めなかった。

Despite harboring a troubled spirit, he did not stop his creative activities.

Concessive 'nagara mo'.

6

不調な取引を強行した結果、莫大な損失を被った。

As a result of forcing through a failing deal, they suffered enormous losses.

Formal verb 'kōmuru'.

7

不調なのは、対話が欠如していることの証左である。

The failure is evidence of a lack of dialogue.

Formal noun 'shōsa' (evidence).

8

不調な現状を打破するために、抜本的な改革が必要だ。

In order to break through the current failing situation, drastic reforms are needed.

Idiomatic 'daha suru'.

Colocações comuns

不調に終わる
体調が不調だ
不調を訴える
経営不調
不調な出だし
精神不調
不調な機械
不調の原因
不調から脱する
不調な市場

Frases Comuns

どうも不調だ

不調続き

不調の兆し

不調な顔色

不調を隠す

不調に陥る

不調を跳ね返す

不調な滑り出し

不調を自覚する

不調が見られる

Expressões idiomáticas

"不調の波"

A wave of bad luck or bad condition. Implies ups and downs.

不調の波が押し寄せている。

Metaphorical

"鳴かず飛ばず"

To make no progress; to be in a long-term slump.

彼は不調で、ここ数年鳴かず飛ばずだ。

Idiomatic

"暗雲が立ち込める"

Dark clouds gather; things are starting to look bad (fuchō).

交渉に不調の暗雲が立ち込める。

Literary

"歯車が狂う"

The gears are out of sync; things start going wrong.

一つ不調なことがあり、歯車が狂い始めた。

Colloquial

"足元をすくわれる"

To have the rug pulled out; to fail due to a hidden weakness/fuchō.

不調な時に足元をすくわれた。

Common

"泥沼にはまる"

To get stuck in a bog; a slump that you can't get out of.

不調の泥沼にはまってしまった。

Metaphorical

"壁にぶつかる"

To hit a wall; to reach a point of failure/fuchō.

不調続きで、壁にぶつかっている。

Common

"出口が見えない"

Cannot see the exit; a slump with no end in sight.

不調の出口が見えない。

Common

"糸の切れた凧"

A kite with a broken string; being in a state of loss or total fuchō.

不調な組織は糸の切れた凧のようだ。

Literary

"暗中模索"

Groping in the dark; trying to fix a fuchō without knowing the cause.

不調の原因を暗中模索している。

Idiomatic

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

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Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'Fu' as 'Fail' and 'Chō' as 'Chord'. A 'Fail-Chord' is a note that is out of tune. Thus, 'fuchō' is being out of tune or out of condition.

Associação visual

Imagine a piano with one broken string that makes a sour note. That piano is 'fuchō'. Or imagine a runner with a flat tire on their shoe.

Word Web

Health Machine Negotiation Slump Not Good Harmony Glitch Failure

Desafio

Try to find three things in your house today that are 'fuchō' (e.g., a slow computer, a squeaky door, or your own tired eyes).

Origem da palavra

The word is composed of two kanji characters: '不' (fu) meaning 'not' or 'non-', and '調' (chō) meaning 'tone', 'harmony', or 'condition'. It originally referred to musical instruments being out of tune.

Significado original: Out of tune; lack of harmony in sound.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).
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