Translation guide
Expressing a sense of discomfort, anxiety, or lack of ease in Japanese. The best choice depends on whether the feeling is vague anxiety, physical discomfort, social awkwardness, or a premonition.
To express a general, often undefined feeling of anxiety or worry about something.
The most direct and common way to say 'feel uneasy' in the sense of anxiety or worry. 不安 (fuan) means anxiety or uneasiness.
将来について不安に感じる。
I feel uneasy about the future.
I felt uneasy about his attitude.
Means 'to worry'. Often used when the uneasiness is about a specific concern. More active than 不安.
試験の結果が心配だ。
I'm worried about the exam results.
Expresses that something is on your mind and causing unease. Slightly more formal or written.
彼の健康が気がかりだ。
I'm uneasy about his health.
To describe a physical sensation of unease, such as nausea or a general sick feeling.
Commonly used for feeling physically unwell, nauseous, or creeped out. Can also mean 'gross' or 'creepy'.
車に酔って気持ち悪い。
I feel carsick and uneasy.
Specifically refers to a queasy stomach or nausea.
食べ過ぎてむかむかする。
I overate and feel queasy.
To express unease in a social situation, feeling out of place or awkward.
Literally 'the feeling of being in a place is bad'. Used when you feel uncomfortable or unwelcome in a social setting.
知らない人ばかりで居心地が悪かった。
I felt uneasy because everyone was a stranger.
Means 'unable to settle down' or 'restless'. Used when you feel fidgety or can't relax.
新しい環境で落ち着かない。
I feel uneasy in the new environment.
To express a feeling that something bad might happen, a sense of foreboding.
Literally 'have a bad premonition'. Very common for expressing a gut feeling that something is wrong.
何か嫌な予感がする。
I have a bad feeling about this.
A more literary or dramatic expression for a feeling of unease or foreboding, literally 'chest disturbance'.
胸騒ぎがして眠れなかった。
I felt so uneasy I couldn't sleep.
不安 (fuan) is a general, often vague anxiety. 心配 (shinpai) is worry about a specific thing. Use 不安 for a lingering sense of unease, and 心配 when you have a clear concern.
Avoid directly translating 'feel uneasy' as 不安定に感じる (fuantei ni kanjiru). 不安定 means 'unstable' or 'insecure' in a physical or systemic sense, not emotional unease.