Translation guide
Describes something that is annoying, troublesome, or a hassle. The most natural Japanese expressions depend on whether you are talking about a task, a person, a situation, or a physical irritation.
Express that a task, errand, or situation is inconvenient, requires effort, or is a nuisance.
Very common casual adjective meaning 'too much trouble' or 'can't be bothered'. Used for tasks you don't want to do.
買い物に行くのが面倒くさい。
Going shopping is bothersome.
宿題をするのが面倒くさい。
Doing homework is a hassle.
A slightly more formal noun/adjective meaning 'trouble' or 'bother'. Often used in the phrase 面倒だ.
手続きが面倒だ。
The procedure is bothersome.
Means 'troublesome' or 'burdensome', often implying a problem that is hard to deal with. Stronger than 面倒.
厄介な問題が起きた。
A bothersome problem came up.
Literally 'takes time and effort'. Used when something requires a lot of work or steps.
この料理は手間がかかる。
This dish is bothersome to make.
Express that someone or something is persistently annoying or gets on your nerves.
Commonly means 'noisy', but also 'annoying' or 'bothersome' when someone keeps pestering you.
彼はいつもうるさい。
He is always bothersome.
うるさいなあ。
You're being bothersome.
Means 'nuisance' or 'annoyance' in the sense of causing trouble for others. Often used for inconsiderate behavior.
Describe a physical sensation that is irritating or uncomfortable.
Means 'bothersome' in the sense of something that bothers you or is on your mind, including physical discomfort.
虫刺されが気になる。
The bug bite is bothersome.
面倒くさい is about your own feeling of not wanting to do something because it's a hassle. 迷惑 is about causing trouble or annoyance to others. If you say 迷惑くさい, it's incorrect; use 迷惑な.
掃除が面倒くさい。
Cleaning is bothersome (I don't want to do it).
夜中に掃除機をかけるのは迷惑だ。
Vacuuming in the middle of the night is bothersome (to others).
If you say 宿題が迷惑だ, it sounds like the homework is a nuisance to someone else, not that you find it a hassle. Use 面倒くさい or 面倒だ instead.
迷惑な電話がかかってくる。
I get bothersome phone calls.
A more literary word for 'troublesome' or 'irksome', often used for complicated or annoying details.
煩わしい手続きを簡略化する。
Simplify bothersome procedures.
Often used for oppressive weather or a gloomy feeling, but can also mean 'irritating' or 'bothersome' in a physical sense.
この湿気はうっとうしい。
This humidity is bothersome.