空気が読めない (kūki ga yomenai)

Meaning: Completely oblivious to the unspoken social mood — the person who kills the atmosphere without noticing.

Literally: Cannot read the air

Origin: Japanese 空気を読む (reading the air) is a core social skill; failing at it is a serious character flaw.

More Japanese compliments & insults

目に入れても痛くない (Me ni irete mo itakunai) Said of someone you adore completely, often a child or grandchild.
石頭 (Ishiatama) A stubborn, inflexible person who won't budge.
気が利く (ki ga kiku) You're perceptive and considerately thoughtful — you notice what people need before they…
できる人 (dekiru hito) Said of someone highly capable and impressive — the kind of person who makes things happe…
懐が深い (futokoro ga fukai) You're broad-minded, generous of spirit, and able to embrace the complexity of others wit…

Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.

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