不都合

• Reading: ふつごう
• Romaji: futsugō
• Kanji breakdown: 不 (fu) — not, un-; 都 (to) — capital, metropolis; 合 (gō) — combine, suit
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.t͡sɯ.go.ɯ/

Meaning

Inconvenient; troublesome; unfavourable. A situation or condition that causes difficulty or disadvantage.

A na-adjective and noun describing something that creates problems or is unsuitable: 不都合な事実 (an inconvenient truth), 何か不都合がありましたら (if there is any inconvenience). Frequently used in formal and business settings. Can also imply something embarrassing or damaging that one would prefer to hide: 不都合な情報 (unfavourable information).

Examples

1. ご不都合な点がございましたらお知らせください。 Please let us know if there is anything that doesn't work for you.
2. その日は不都合なので別の日にしてもらえますか。 That day doesn't work for me — could we reschedule?
3. 不都合な真実から目を背けてはいけない。 We can't turn a blind eye to inconvenient truths.

Usage Guide

Context: business, formal speech, daily life

Tone: polite

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 不 (fu, not) + 都合 (tsugō, circumstances/convenience). Literally 'not convenient' — circumstances that do not suit.

Cultural Context

Era: Pre-modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal