Meaning and Usage
"不良" (ふりょう) is a noun and na-adjective used to describe something defective, faulty, or problematic. It can refer to physical defects (like defective products), financial issues (such as non-performing loans), or people who behave badly (delinquents).
Common Contexts
- In manufacturing or sales, "不良品" means defective goods.
- In finance, "不良債権" refers to bad debts or non-performing loans.
- When describing people, especially youths, "不良" implies delinquency or bad behavior.
Collocations and Patterns
- 不良品 (ふりょうひん): defective product
- 不良債権 (ふりょうさいけん): non-performing loan
- 不良少年 (ふりょうしょうねん): delinquent youth
Register and Nuance
"不良" is a formal term often used in written language, business, and official contexts. When referring to people, it carries a negative connotation implying problematic behavior. Avoid using it casually to describe people unless the context is clear.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "不良" with general "bad" adjectives like "悪い". Remember that "不良" often implies a defect or failure rather than just being bad. Also, it is commonly used as a noun or na-adjective, not as a simple adjective.