Translation

infamous / well-known for something bad / notoriously known

Meaning

Notorious means well-known for something BAD — for crimes, faults, or scandalous behavior. It is always NEGATIVE. 'He is notorious for arriving late.' (well-known for the bad habit) 'The area is notorious for crime.' (known for crime, negative) 'A notorious criminal.' (well-known but in a bad way) Do NOT use notorious as a synonym for famous (positive). The two words have opposite emotional values: Famous = well-known (positive) Notorious = well-known for something bad (negative) A notorious singer would mean a singer known for being bad or behaving badly.

Examples

• その地域は治安の悪さで悪名高い。
  That area is notorious for poor security.
• 彼は嘘つきとして悪名高い。
  He is notorious as a liar.