不吉

• Reading: ふきつ
• Romaji: fukitsu
• Kanji breakdown: 不 (fu) — not, un-; 吉 (kitsu/kichi) — good fortune, auspicious
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.ki.t͡sɯ/

Meaning

Ominous; unlucky; inauspicious. Something that forebodes bad luck or misfortune.

A na-adjective and noun describing something that portends misfortune: 不吉な予感 (an ominous premonition), 不吉な前兆 (an inauspicious omen). Carries a sense of superstitious dread. The opposite is 吉 (kichi, good fortune). Often used with 予感, 前兆, 夢, and other words relating to signs about the future.

Examples

1. 黒猫が横切るのは不吉だと言う人がいる。 Some people say it's bad luck when a black cat crosses your path.
2. 不吉な予感がして出発をためらった。 I had an ominous feeling and hesitated to leave.
3. その夢はなんだか不吉な感じがした。 That dream had an ominous feel to it for some reason.

Usage Guide

Context: superstition, literature, daily life

Tone: uneasy

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 不 (fu, not) + 吉 (kitsu/kichi, good fortune/auspicious). Literally 'not auspicious' — the negation of good luck.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal