不便

• Reading: ふべん
• Romaji: fuben
• Kanji breakdown: 不 (fu/bu) — not, un-, negative prefix; 便 (ben/bin) — convenience, facility
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.beɴ/

Meaning

Inconvenient; impractical; unhandy. Describes a situation or thing that causes difficulty in daily life.

A na-adjective and noun that is the direct antonym of 便利 (benri, convenient). The prefix 不 negates 便 (convenience), creating the meaning of inconvenience. Commonly used to describe locations far from stations, lack of services, or impractical tools. Used with な before nouns: 不便な場所 (an inconvenient place).

Examples

1. バスがなくて不便です。 There's no bus, so it's inconvenient.
2. 車がないと不便な所です。 It's an inconvenient place without a car.
3. この町は少し不便ですが、静かです。 This town is a little inconvenient, but it's quiet.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, location, transportation

Tone: negative

Origin & History

Composed of 不 (not, un-) and 便 (convenience). A straightforward negation compound following the common pattern where 不 is prefixed to create the opposite meaning.

Cultural Context

Era: Medieval

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal