中途半端

Now this is a very useful phrase. 中途半端（ちゅうとはんぱ）. If you remember, not too long ago we dealt with two words from this phrase 「半端ない」. Here, 中途半端 is used to express dissatisfaction or regret over a job not well done. The closest English equivalent is half-hearted or in the case of a slang half-ass.

Let's take a look at an interesting example. Dave's Japanese boss is expecting a full report on the effects of margarine mixed in honey lime juice and seal blood on the appetite of a desert survivor by Friday. Dave, who comes from the North Pole, could not in his life fathom what a desert is like, just made something up. Now, when his boss receives a half-page report about how a desert survivor would drink the concoction anyway, he would remarked 「デーブさん、これは中途半端な努力やな．．．」. In English, it would be "Dave, I hate to say this to you, but I think this is the most half-ass job I have ever seen in my life..."

OK, now you will be able to go out and express your dissatisfaction to customer service people, the newspaper delivery guy, and friendly neighbors in a natural Japanese way. New friends will be made today!