Translation guide
The English phrase 'be impatient' describes a state of restlessness, frustration, or eagerness when waiting or when progress is slow. Japanese expresses this through adjectives, verbs, and set phrases that focus on the feeling of being unable to wait, annoyance at delays, or a strong desire for something to happen quickly.
Expressing a general state of impatience, eagerness, or inability to wait calmly.
Literally 'cannot finish waiting'. A very common, natural way to say you are so eager or impatient that you can't wait any longer. Often used for positive anticipation.
夏休みが待ちきれない。
I can't wait for summer vacation.
結果が待ちきれなくて、何度もメールをチェックした。
I was so impatient for the results that I checked my email over and over.
An i-adjective describing a frustrating feeling of impatience, often when something is slow or not going as desired. It conveys irritation at the situation.
彼の話はいつも長くてじれったい。
His stories are always long and make me impatient.
進みが遅くてじれったかった。
The progress was so slow it was frustrating.
Similar to じれったい, but often implies a feeling of being tantalized or frustrated because you are so close yet unable to reach something. It carries a nuance of irritation mixed with longing.
あと一歩が届かなくてもどかしい。
I'm so close yet can't reach it; it's maddening.
Literally 'cannot endure/be patient'. Used when you lose patience and can no longer tolerate a situation. Stronger than 待ちきれない and often negative.
もう我慢できない！いつになったら出発するの？
I can't take it anymore! When are we finally leaving?
Describing behavior where someone rushes or acts without waiting because they are impatient.
A verb meaning to be in a hurry, to panic, or to feel flustered because you are running out of time or falling behind. It often describes the action or state of being impatient.
遅刻しそうで焦っている。
I'm getting impatient because I might be late.
焦ってミスをしてしまった。
I got impatient and made a mistake.
A transitive verb meaning to rush or hurry someone else. It implies you are making someone impatient or pressuring them to act faster.
A set phrase describing a person's character: 'short-tempered' or 'impatient by nature'. It's a personality trait, not a momentary feeling.
Telling someone to be patient or expressing your own impatience directly.
A casual command meaning 'Hurry up!' or 'Be quick!'. It directly expresses impatience with someone's slowness.
早くして！遅れるよ。
Hurry up! We'll be late.
A very short, casual way to say 'Not yet?' implying impatience. Often used with a rising intonation.
まだ？お腹すいたよ。
Not yet? I'm hungry.
待ちきれない is for positive anticipation (e.g., can't wait for a fun event). じれったい is for frustration at a slow situation. 焦る is for panicky haste when time is short.
旅行が待ちきれない。
I can't wait for the trip.
渋滞がじれったい。
This traffic jam is so frustrating.
試験に遅れそうで焦った。
I panicked because I was almost late for the exam.
Avoid directly translating 'be impatient' as いらいらしている or 短気である in all contexts. いらいらする is more 'irritated/annoyed' than 'impatient', and 短気 is a personality trait. Choose the expression that matches the nuance.
I rushed the kids out of the house.
彼は気が短いから、行列に並ぶのが苦手だ。
He's impatient, so he hates waiting in lines.