Translation guide
The English word "fuss" covers several related ideas: unnecessary excitement or worry, a display of excessive attention or affection, and a protest or complaint. This guide breaks down these meanings and shows how to express them naturally in Japanese.
To express that someone is making a big deal out of something trivial, or is overly anxious or agitated.
Literally 'to make a big fuss/noise'. Used when someone is overreacting or creating a commotion over something minor.
彼は小さなことで大騒ぎする。
He makes a fuss over little things.
A more general verb meaning 'to make noise' or 'to clamor'. Can be used for fussing, but less specific than 大騒ぎする.
そんなに騒がないで。
Don't make such a fuss.
Means 'to make an exaggerated fuss'. Emphasizes the over-the-top nature of the reaction.
彼女はちょっとしたことで大げさに騒ぐ。
She makes an exaggerated fuss over every little thing.
Means 'to panic' or 'to get flustered'. Used when someone is in a fuss because they are rushed or surprised.
慌てないで、落ち着いて。
Don't get in a fuss; calm down.
A stronger verb meaning 'to kick up a fuss' or 'to raise a clamor'. Often implies noisy, persistent complaining.
客がレジで騒ぎ立てている。
A customer is kicking up a fuss at the register.
To describe making a fuss over someone, often in a doting or overly attentive way.
Means 'to make a fuss over someone', 'to pamper', or 'to flatter'. Often used for showering someone with attention.
祖父母は孫をちやほやする。
Grandparents make a fuss over their grandchildren.
Means 'to spoil' or 'to pamper'. Implies indulging someone, often a child, by giving them too much attention or leniency.
彼は一人娘を甘やかしている。
He fusses over his only daughter.
Literally 'to burn care', meaning to fuss over someone by taking care of them, sometimes excessively.
Means 'to mind' or 'to care about'. In negative form, it can mean 'to leave alone'. In positive, it can mean to fuss over someone.
To express that someone is making a fuss in the sense of objecting or complaining about something.
The most common way to say 'to complain'. Can be used for making a fuss about something.
彼はいつも食事に文句を言う。
He always makes a fuss about the food.
Literally 'to cause a commotion'. Used when someone creates a scene or a fuss as a form of protest.
乗客が遅延で騒ぎを起こした。
Passengers made a fuss about the delay.
Means 'to protest' formally. More serious than just complaining; implies an organized or official objection.
住民は新しい建設計画に抗議した。
Residents made a fuss about the new construction plan.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of "fuss". Translating it directly as 騒ぎ (sawagi) or 大騒ぎ (oosawagi) may not fit every context. Choose the expression based on the specific meaning you want to convey.
大騒ぎする (oosawagi suru) specifically means making a big fuss over something, while 騒ぐ (sawagu) is more general and can mean simply being noisy or excited. Use 大騒ぎする when you want to emphasize the overreaction.
母はいつも私の世話を焼きたがる。
My mother always wants to fuss over me.
He fusses over his pets a lot.