How do you use "Janky" in a sentence?

My laptop is getting really janky. That's a pretty janky solution. The WiFi here is super janky. Don't buy that—it looks janky.

Janky

Q: What does "Janky" mean?

Poor quality, broken, unreliable American slang for something of poor quality, broken, or not working properly. Can describe objects, systems, or situations that are substandard or rickety.

Slang Term American ★★★☆☆ Moderate Very Casual

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Meaning: Poor quality, broken, unreliable

质量差的、坏的、不可靠的

De mala calidad, roto, poco confiable

質が悪い、壊れた、信頼できない

품질이 낮은, 고장 난, 불안정한

American slang for something of poor quality, broken, or not working properly. Can describe objects, systems, or situations that are substandard or rickety.

美式俚语，形容质量差、坏了或无法正常工作的东西。可以描述不达标或摇摇晃晃的物品、系统或情况。

Argot americano para algo de mala calidad, roto o que no funciona bien. Puede describir objetos, sistemas o situaciones que son deficientes o inestables.

アメリカのスラングで、質が悪い、壊れている、またはちゃんと動かないものを表す。標準以下や不安定な物、システム、状況を表すことができる。

품질이 낮거나 고장 났거나 제대로 작동하지 않는 것을 뜻하는 미국 속어. 물건, 시스템, 상황 등 기준 이하인 것을 묘사할 때 사용.

Examples

My laptop is getting really janky.
我的笔记本电脑越来越不行了。
Mi laptop se está poniendo muy mala.
私のノートパソコン、だんだん調子悪くなってきた。
내 노트북 점점 맛이 가고 있어.
That's a pretty janky solution.
那是个相当糟糕的解决方案。
Esa es una solución bastante chapucera.
それかなり雑な解決策だね。
그거 꽤 허술한 해결책이네.
The WiFi here is super janky.
这里的WiFi超级不稳定。
El WiFi aquí es super malo.
ここのWiFi超不安定。
여기 와이파이 완전 불안정해.
Don't buy that—it looks janky.
别买那个——看起来质量很差。
No compres eso—parece de mala calidad.
あれ買わないで——質悪そう。
저거 사지 마—허접해 보여.

Pronunciation

/ˈdʒæŋki/

Usage Guide

Context: technology, quality, criticism

Tone: critical, frustrated

✓ Do Say

That's janky.
那很糟糕
Eso es malo
それダメだね
그거 허접하다.
Super janky.
超级不靠谱
Super malo
超不安定
완전 허접해.
Looking pretty janky.
看起来质量很差
Se ve bastante malo
かなり質悪そう
꽤 허접해 보이네.

✗ Don't Say

Very American slang
非常美式俚语
Muy argot americano
とてもアメリカ的なスラング
매우 미국적인 속어
May not be understood outside US
美国以外可能不被理解
Puede no entenderse fuera de EE.UU.
アメリカ以外では通じないかも
미국 밖에서는 이해 못 할 수 있음

Common Mistakes

Specifically American
Usually about objects/systems, not people

Origin & History

American slang of uncertain origin, possibly related to 'junk.' Emerged in late 20th century to describe unreliable or poor-quality things.

Etymology: Possibly related to 'junk' or of African American origin

First recorded: American slang from late 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Late 20th century onwards

Generation: Millennials and Gen Z primarily

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Tech and gaming communities; American casual speech

Regional notes: American slang. Not commonly used in British English.

Variations

JankySuper jankyKinda janky