Translation guide
An exclamation of mild annoyance, exasperation, or disbelief. Japanese has several common interjections that map to this, but the best choice depends on the speaker's gender, age, and the situation.
Express a sigh of frustration or irritation at a situation or someone's actions.
React to something surprising, absurd, or hard to believe.
Expresses disbelief or shock, like 'No way!' or 'You must be kidding!' Can be used as a standalone interjection or in a sentence.
Express that you've accepted a frustrating situation because you can't change it.
Both express exasperation, but やれやれ is more of a sigh (often with a sense of relief or weariness), while まったく is more directly critical of the situation or person. やれやれ can be used when something is finally over; まったく is better when you're actively annoyed.
やれやれ、やっと静かになった。
Good grief, it's finally quiet.
まったく、うるさいなあ。
Good grief, so noisy.
Some expressions like やんなっちゃう can sound very feminine or childish. やれやれ is safe for all genders and ages, but is often associated with older men in fiction. In real life, it's widely used. まったく is neutral but slightly masculine in tone when used as an interjection.
A very common, gender-neutral interjection expressing mild exasperation, relief, or resignation. Often used when something troublesome is finally over or when faced with a recurring annoyance.
やれやれ、また遅刻か。
Good grief, he's late again.
やれやれ、やっと終わった。
Good grief, it's finally over.
Literally 'completely' or 'really', used as an interjection to express exasperation or disbelief. Often followed by a comment about the situation. More common in casual speech.
まったく、君には困ったものだ。
Good grief, you're a handful.
まったく、何を考えているんだか。
Good grief, what are you thinking?
A casual, drawn-out sigh expressing disappointment or mild frustration. Often used when something goes wrong or doesn't meet expectations.
あーあ、雨が降ってきた。
Good grief, it's started raining.
A very casual, colloquial contraction of 嫌になってしまう (iya ni natte shimau), meaning 'I'm fed up' or 'this is so annoying'. Used mostly by younger speakers or in very informal settings.
やんなっちゃうなあ、もう。
Good grief, I'm so fed up.
まさか、本当にやったの？
Good grief, did you really do that?
まさか！そんなはずない。
Good grief! That can't be.
Literally 'lie', used as an exclamation meaning 'No way!' or 'You're kidding!' Very common in casual conversation.
うそ、また故障？
Good grief, it broke again?
Means 'it can't be helped' or 'there's no choice'. Often used with a sigh to convey resignation. Can be used alone or in a sentence.
しょうがない、また明日やろう。
Good grief, let's do it again tomorrow.
ああ、しょうがないなあ。
Good grief, it can't be helped.
Synonym of しょうがない, slightly more formal or written. Same meaning of resignation.
仕方ない、諦めよう。
Good grief, let's give up.