Translation guide
The English word "fussy" covers several distinct meanings: being picky about details, being overly concerned with small matters, requiring careful attention, and being irritable or restless. Japanese expresses these with different words and phrases depending on the nuance.
Describing someone who is selective or hard to please, especially with food, clothes, or other personal choices.
Literally 'has many likes and dislikes'. This is the most common and natural way to describe a fussy eater or someone picky about preferences.
彼は食べ物の好き嫌いが多い。
He is a fussy eater.
Means 'noisy' or 'annoying', but can also mean 'picky' or 'fussy' when used about someone's preferences. Often implies the person complains a lot.
味にうるさい人
a person who is fussy about taste
Describes someone who is hard to please or temperamental, often in a moody way. Can be used for fussy children or adults.
気難しい客
a fussy customer
Verb meaning 'to be choosy' or 'to pick and choose'. More formal or literary than 好き嫌いが多い.
彼女は仕事を選り好みしすぎる。
She is too fussy about which jobs she takes.
Describing someone who pays excessive attention to minor details, often in a way that is annoying or unnecessary.
Literally 'to be particular about small things'. This is a natural phrase for being fussy over details.
彼は細かいことにこだわりすぎる。
He is too fussy about small details.
Means 'meticulous' or 'methodical'. Can be positive (neat, orderly) or negative (fussy, nitpicky) depending on context.
彼女は几帳面すぎて、一緒に仕事をするのが大変だ。
She is so fussy that it's hard to work with her.
Similar to 口うるさい but more about being annoyingly particular or nitpicky. Less common.
Describing a task or situation that is delicate, intricate, or demands precision.
Means 'small', 'fine', or 'detailed'. When describing work, it implies it is fussy or requires attention to detail.
この作業は細かい。
This work is fussy.
Means 'takes time and effort'. Used for tasks that are fiddly or fussy because they require many steps.
この料理は手間がかかる。
This dish is fussy to make.
Describing a baby or child who is crying, restless, or hard to soothe.
Verb meaning 'to be fretful' or 'to whine'. The most common word for a fussy baby or toddler.
赤ちゃんがぐずっている。
The baby is being fussy.
Means 'in a bad mood'. Can be used for anyone, including fussy children.
今日は子供の機嫌が悪い。
The child is fussy today.
Verb meaning 'to be peevish' or 'to fret'. Similar to ぐずる but less common and slightly more formal.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all meanings of 'fussy'. Translating directly as 'うるさい' may sound like 'noisy' or 'annoying' rather than 'picky'. Choose the expression based on the specific nuance.
好き嫌いが多い is neutral and factual (has many likes/dislikes). うるさい implies complaining or being difficult. Use 好き嫌いが多い for simple pickiness, and うるさい when the person is vocal about it.
Literally 'mouth-noisy', meaning nagging or fussing about things. Often used for someone who constantly complains or gives unwanted advice.
うちの母は服装に口うるさい。
My mother is fussy about my clothes.
小うるさい上司
a fussy boss
Literally 'uses nerves', meaning it requires careful attention or is mentally taxing. Often used for delicate, fussy work.
この仕事は神経を使う。
This job is fussy and stressful.
The baby is fussy and won't sleep.