ろくにない (rokuninai)

Meaning & usage

ろくにない is a negative expression meaning something is hardly done or barely adequate. It attaches to a negative verb, as in ろくに知らない or ろくに食べないで, and emphasizes that the action is far from sufficient. It carries a critical tone, suggesting the amount or ability is disappointingly small.

Example sentences 4

1. この若者わかものは、自分じぶんの国くにについてろくに知しらない。

   This young man knows little about his country.

2. 彼女はろくに食べないで席を立った。

   She had only eaten a little before she left the table.

3. 私は英会話もろくにできない、ましてやスペイン語など話せるはずはありません。

   I can't even speak English very well, much less Spanish.

4. 彼女はフランス語は言うに及ばず母語すらろくに話せない。

   She doesn't even speak her own language well, let alone French.