悪

JLPT N4

Bad, evil

Readings

On’yomi: アク, オ (aku, o)

Kun’yomi: わる(い), にく(い), あ(し) (waru(i), niku(i), a(shi))

• わる.い (warui) – bad, evil • にく.い (nikui) – hateful, detestable • あ.し (a shi) – bad, harmful (less common)

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

悪い

わるい

bad

悪者

わるもの

villain

最悪

さいあく

worst

悪化

あっか

worsen

悪口

わるぐち

slander

Example Sentences

天気が悪いです。

てんきがわるいです。

The weather is bad.

悪口を言わないでください。

わるぐちをいわないでください。

Please don’t speak ill of others.

Cultural Note

🌑 In Japanese culture, 悪 reflects both moral judgment and everyday negativity:
• Moral usage: 悪人 (あくにん) – evil person, 悪事 (あくじ) – wrongdoing
• Everyday usage: 悪天候 (bad weather), 悪口 (speaking badly of someone)
• Concepts of 善悪 (ぜんあく) — “good and evil” — are deeply influenced by Buddhist and Shinto thought.
• Japanese culture values avoiding 悪行 (immoral acts) and maintaining harmonious social relations, reflecting that “badness” is socially disruptive.