mazui

Mazui, written まずい in kana and occasionally 不味い in kanji, is a common Japanese adjective used to express that something is unpalatable, unpleasant, or of poor quality. It most often describes food or drink that tastes bad, but it can also apply to odors, conditions, or outcomes that are deemed unsatisfactory or ill-advised.

In everyday speech, まずい is blunt and informal. It can describe taste directly, as in a sentence about a dish that does not taste good. It is also used more broadly to describe negative situations, such as a plan or decision that is risky or poorly thought out. In polite or formal contexts, speakers may opt for softer expressions such as あまりおいしくありません (not very tasty) or 口に合いません (not to one’s liking).

Orthography and nuance: The kana form まずい is the most common in spoken language, while 不味い as a kanji variant appears in written text and can carry a slightly stronger or more formal tone. The term is an i-adjective, so its conjugations follow standard patterns (まずく, まずかった, まずくない, etc.).

Usage notes: Because it is direct, まずい can sound harsh when applied to a host’s cooking or a colleague’s plan. In such cases, speakers often choose milder synonyms or indirect expressions to avoid offense, especially in sensitive social or professional settings.

See also: 美味しい (delicious), 不味い (unpalatable), 味 (taste).