Translation guide
Describes something or someone that causes mild irritation or bother. Japanese has many nuanced words depending on the source of annoyance, intensity, and context.
Describing a situation, sound, or thing that is bothersome or irritating.
Most common word for 'annoying' in the sense of noisy, bothersome, or persistent. Can be used for people, sounds, or situations.
隣の部屋がうるさい。
The next room is annoying (noisy).
彼の話し方がうるさい。
His way of speaking is annoying.
Describes something that causes trouble or inconvenience to others. Often used in public contexts or when someone's actions are bothersome.
Describing a person or their actions that irritate you.
Slangy, very common among younger people. Short for うざったい. Means irritating, annoying, or a pain.
あいつ、うざいんだよ。
That guy is so annoying.
毎日同じことを聞いてきてうざい。
It's annoying that he asks the same thing every day.
Describes someone or something persistent, nagging, or not giving up. Often used for people who won't leave you alone.
Original form of うざい, slightly less slangy but still casual. Means irritating or troublesome.
Expressing that something is slightly annoying or irritating in a subtle way.
Describes the feeling of being irritated or annoyed. Often used for things that make you feel impatient or stressed.
渋滞はイライラする。
Traffic jams are annoying (irritating).
彼の話し方にイライラする。
I get annoyed by the way he talks.
Literally 'touches a nerve'. Means something rubs you the wrong way or is offensive/annoying.
彼の冗談は気に障る。
His jokes are annoying (get on my nerves).
Slang for feeling pissed off or annoyed. Stronger than イライラする, often used when angry.
Describing a recurring behavior or characteristic that is bothersome.
Can be used for habits that are persistently annoying.
彼の遅刻癖はうざったい。
His habit of being late is annoying.
Literally 'harmful to the eyes'. Describes something visually annoying or an eyesore.
うるさい is the standard word for 'annoying' and can be used in most situations, but it also means 'noisy'. うざい is slang and very direct, so avoid using it in formal settings or with superiors.
上司に「うざい」と言ってはいけない。
You must not say 'uzai' to your boss.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'annoying'. Choose based on the source of annoyance: noise (うるさい), persistence (しつこい), hassle (面倒くさい), or irritation (イライラする). Using the wrong word can sound unnatural.
電車の中で大声で話すのは迷惑だ。
Talking loudly on the train is annoying (a nuisance).
迷惑メールが毎日来る。
I get annoying spam emails every day.
Expresses that something is bothersome or too much effort. Often used for tasks or situations that feel like a hassle.
この手続きは面倒くさい。
This procedure is annoying (a hassle).
毎日料理するのは面倒くさい。
Cooking every day is annoying.
Describes something troublesome, complicated, or mentally burdensome. More formal/literary.
煩わしい手続きを簡略化したい。
I want to simplify these annoying procedures.
彼の誘い方がしつこい。
His way of inviting me is annoying (persistent).
しつこいセールスマンに困っている。
I'm bothered by an annoying salesman.
Describes something gloomy, oppressive, or annoying in a heavy way. Can refer to weather, mood, or a person's presence.
彼の態度が鬱陶しい。
His attitude is annoying (oppressive).
この天気は鬱陶しい。
This weather is annoying (gloomy).
この仕事はうざったい。
This job is annoying.
あの店員の態度にムカついた。
I was annoyed by that clerk's attitude.
その看板は目障りだ。
That sign is annoying (an eyesore).