A2 Expression 非正式

まずい

mazui

It tastes bad; Unpleasant

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A versatile adjective used to describe food that tastes bad or a situation that has turned sour.

  • Means: Tastes bad (literal) or 'this is trouble' (figurative).
  • Used in: Casual dining with friends or when realizing a mistake.
  • Don't confuse: Never say this to a chef or host; it's very rude.
🤢 (Bad Taste) + 😰 (Trouble) = {不味|まず}い

Explanation at your level:

In A1, you learn that 'mazui' means 'bad taste.' It is the opposite of 'oishii' (delicious). You use it for food or drinks that you do not like. It is a simple word, but be careful not to say it to your teacher or a cook because it is not very polite.
At the A2 level, you should know that 'mazui' has two meanings. First, it describes food that tastes bad. Second, it is an exclamation used when something goes wrong, like 'Uh-oh!' or 'This is bad.' You should use 'oishikunai' if you want to be more polite when talking about food.
In B1, you understand the social weight of 'mazui.' You know it's an i-adjective and can conjugate it into 'mazukatta' or 'mazukereba.' You also start to use it figuratively for social blunders or awkward situations. You recognize that using it in a restaurant is a major social faux pas and know to use 'kuchi ni awanai' instead.
At B2, you can distinguish between 'mazui' and 'yabai' in various contexts. You understand that 'mazui' specifically implies a failure of timing or a situation that is objectively unfavorable. You can use it in compound sentences to explain consequences, such as 'If I don't finish this report, it'll be mazui for my career.'
C1 learners appreciate the etymological connection to 'Ma' (space/timing). You can analyze how 'mazui' functions in literature or media to signal a character's lack of refinement or their extreme distress. You understand the nuances of slang forms like 'mazee' and how they signal specific subcultural identities or gendered speech patterns.
At the C2 level, you possess a near-native grasp of the sociolinguistic boundaries of 'mazui.' You can navigate the delicate balance of using it for comedic effect versus genuine criticism. You understand its role in the 'Aisatsu' (greetings) and social rituals of Japan, and how its avoidance in certain contexts is a key component of high-level pragmatic competence.

意思

Statement indicating food or drink tastes unpleasant.

🌍

文化背景

The 'Social Mazui': In Japan, the word is often avoided to maintain 'Wa' (harmony). People use 'interesting taste' or 'it's unique' as euphemisms. TV Variety Shows: In Japanese food shows, celebrities almost never say 'mazui.' If they do, it's usually for a 'punishment game' (batsu game) involving bitter tea. When Japanese businessmen say 'Sore wa mazui desu ne,' they are signaling a serious problem that needs immediate attention, often without being aggressive. Slang evolution: 'Mazui' is sometimes shortened to 'Mazu' in text speech among Gen Z in Japan.

⚠️

The Restaurant Rule

Never say 'mazui' loudly in a restaurant. It's considered extremely low-class behavior in Japan.

🎯

The 'Uh-oh' Face

When using 'mazui' for trouble, pair it with a sharp intake of breath for maximum naturalness.

意思

Statement indicating food or drink tastes unpleasant.

⚠️

The Restaurant Rule

Never say 'mazui' loudly in a restaurant. It's considered extremely low-class behavior in Japan.

🎯

The 'Uh-oh' Face

When using 'mazui' for trouble, pair it with a sharp intake of breath for maximum naturalness.

💬

Polite Rejection

If offered food you hate, say 'Nigate desu' ({苦手|にがて}です) - 'It's a weak point for me.'

自我测试

Choose the most appropriate response when you realize you forgot your passport at home.

あ、＿＿＿＿！パスポートを{家|いえ}に{忘|わす}れた！

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： まずい

'Mazui' is used as an exclamation when something goes wrong.

Complete the sentence to say 'This coffee tastes bad.'

このコーヒーはとても＿＿＿＿です。

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： まずい

The plain form of the i-adjective is used before 'desu'.

Match the phrase to the situation.

Situation: You are eating a very bitter vegetable for the first time with a close friend.

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： まずい！

In a casual setting with a friend, 'Mazui!' is a natural reaction to bad-tasting food.

Fill in the blank in the dialogue.

A: この{料理|りょうり}、どう？ B: うーん、ちょっと＿＿＿＿ないね。

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： おいしく

'Oishikunai' (not delicious) is the polite way to say something is 'mazui'.

🎉 得分： /4

视觉学习工具

Mazui vs. Oishikunai

まずい (Mazui)
Blunt Direct
Informal Friends only
Strong Yuck!
おいしくない (Oishikunai)
Polite Softened
Neutral Safe for hosts
Mild Not my favorite

When to say 'Mazui!'

👅

Taste

  • • Bitter medicine
  • • Expired milk
  • • Weird snacks
😰

Trouble

  • • Forgot keys
  • • Late for work
  • • Sent wrong email

常见问题

10 个问题

No, it's a standard adjective. However, it can be very rude depending on who you say it to.

Not usually. For a bad movie, use 'tsumaranai' (boring) or 'hidoi' (terrible).

'Oishii' or 'Umai' are the opposites.

You can say 'Sore hodo mazuku nai desu.'

Only if you mean they are in a 'bad' (awkward) situation. You can't use it to mean they are a 'bad person'.

It is traditionally masculine and rough, but some young women use it for comedic effect.

It's a short way of saying 'This situation is bad/unfavorable.'

'Mazui' is 'bad taste' (active), 'oishikunai' is 'not delicious' (passive/polite).

No, for smells use 'kusai'.

Yes, {不味|まず}い, but it is very often written in hiragana.

相关表达

🔗

おいしくない

similar

Not delicious

🔗

やばい

similar

Dangerous / Awful / Amazing

🔗

ひどい

similar

Terrible / Cruel

🔗

にがい

specialized form

Bitter

🔗

へた

contrast

Unskilled

在哪里用

🍿

Trying a weird snack

Friend A: このお{菓子|かし}、どう？

Friend B: うわ、{不味|まず}い！{変|へん}な{味|あじ}がする。

informal
🏃‍♂️

Realizing you're late

Self: あ、{不味|まず}い。もう8{時|じ}だ！{電車|でんしゃ}に{遅|おく}れる！

informal
🍜

At a restaurant (Private)

Partner: ラーメン、おいしい？

You: うーん、ちょっと{不味|まず}いかも。

informal
💼

Office mistake

Colleague: {田中|たなか}さんにメール、{送|おく}った？

You: あ、{不味|まず}い！{忘|わす}れていました。

neutral
🙊

Awkward social moment

Friend A: {昨日|きのう}、{元|もと}カノに{会|あ}っちゃった。

Friend B: それは{不味|まず}いね。{気|き}まずかったでしょ？

informal
🍳

Bad cooking at home

Child: お{母|かあ}さん、これ{不味|まず}いよ。

Mother: こら！{不味|まず}いって{言|い}わないの！

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Ma's Zoo' (Mazui). If the food at Ma's Zoo is bad, it's 'mazui'!

Visual Association

Imagine a person taking a bite of a purple, glowing cake and their face turning green while they shout 'Mazui!' At the same time, imagine a person seeing a police car in their rearview mirror and saying the same thing.

Rhyme

Eat something blue? It might be mazui!

Story

You are at a secret party. You take a sip of a drink—it's bitter and gross! You whisper 'Mazui!' Suddenly, you see your boss enter the room. You weren't supposed to be there. You whisper 'Mazui!' again. One word, two disasters.

Word Web

おいしいうまいまずいやばいへたおいしくないにがい

挑战

Try to find three things in your fridge that might be 'mazui' (old milk, bitter melon, etc.) and say the word out loud. Then, think of one 'mazui' situation you had this week.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Saber mal / Asqueroso

Spanish speakers are often more direct about bad food than Japanese speakers.

French moderate

C'est mauvais / Dégueulasse

French doesn't use 'mauvais' as an exclamation for 'Uh-oh' as often as Japanese uses 'mazui'.

German moderate

Schmeckt nicht / Ekelhaft

German focuses on personal preference ('to me') rather than an objective 'it is bad'.

Japanese high

{不味|まず}い

N/A

Arabic partial

Ta'muhu sayyi' / Muqrif

Arabic uses different roots for 'bad taste' and 'bad situation' (mushkila).

Chinese high

Nán chī (难吃)

Chinese 'nán chī' is very common and slightly less 'rude' than 'mazui' can be.

Korean high

Mat-eopda (맛없다)

Korean uses 'keun-il-nada' for the 'Uh-oh' meaning of 'mazui'.

Portuguese moderate

Gosto ruim / Nojento

Portuguese speakers are generally very expressive and will use 'nojento' for bad food.

Easily Confused

まずい 对比 まずい vs. へた

Both can be translated as 'bad' in English.

Use 'mazui' for the thing (food/situation) and 'heta' for the person's skill.

まずい 对比 まずい vs. わるい

Both mean 'bad'.

Use 'warui' for quality, health, or morals. Use 'mazui' for taste or awkward situations.

常见问题 (10)

No, it's a standard adjective. However, it can be very rude depending on who you say it to.

Not usually. For a bad movie, use 'tsumaranai' (boring) or 'hidoi' (terrible).

'Oishii' or 'Umai' are the opposites.

You can say 'Sore hodo mazuku nai desu.'

Only if you mean they are in a 'bad' (awkward) situation. You can't use it to mean they are a 'bad person'.

It is traditionally masculine and rough, but some young women use it for comedic effect.

It's a short way of saying 'This situation is bad/unfavorable.'

'Mazui' is 'bad taste' (active), 'oishikunai' is 'not delicious' (passive/polite).

No, for smells use 'kusai'.

Yes, {不味|まず}い, but it is very often written in hiragana.

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