Translation guide
How to express that something is troublesome, causes difficulty, or is a bother in Japanese.
Expressing that something is an inconvenience or causes trouble.
A common word for trouble, annoyance, or inconvenience caused to others. Often used in apologies.
ご迷惑をおかけしてすみません。
I'm sorry for the inconvenience.
Means 'inconvenient' in the sense of lacking convenience or being impractical. Used for situations, not people.
この駅はエレベーターがなくて不便です。
This station is inconvenient because there's no elevator.
Literally 'takes time and effort'. Used when something is a hassle or requires extra work.
この手続きは手間がかかる。
This procedure is a hassle.
Means 'troublesome' or 'bothersome'. Often used for tasks that are annoying to do.
毎回パスワードを入力するのは面倒だ。
It's a pain to enter the password every time.
Formal and polite ways to apologize for causing trouble or inconvenience.
Very formal apology for inconvenience. Common in business and customer service.
ご不便をおかけして申し訳ございません。
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Polite but slightly less formal than 申し訳ございません. Suitable for everyday apologies.
ご迷惑をおかけしてすみません。
Sorry for the trouble.
Used when you cause someone extra effort. 'Sorry to put you to the trouble.'
お手数をおかけしますが、よろしくお願いします。
Sorry for the trouble, and thank you in advance.
Checking with someone if a situation or request causes them trouble.
General pattern for asking permission. Implies 'Is it okay if...?' Can be combined with 迷惑 or 不便.
ここに座ってもいいですか？
Is it okay if I sit here?
Directly asks 'Is it not an inconvenience?' Polite and considerate.
お電話してご迷惑ではありませんか？
Is it inconvenient for me to call you?
Talking about small annoyances or things that are slightly troublesome.
Literally 'a small inconvenience'. Used for minor issues.
それはちょっとした不便です。
It's a minor inconvenience.
Means 'a bit of a bother'. Casual way to describe something slightly annoying.
このアプリは少し面倒だ。
This app is a bit of a hassle.
迷惑 (meiwaku) is about causing trouble or annoyance to people. 不便 (fuben) is about lack of convenience in things or situations. Use 迷惑 when apologizing to someone; use 不便 when describing a place or system.
電車が遅れて迷惑した。
The train delay was a nuisance.
この町は不便だ。
This town is inconvenient.
The English word 'inconvenience' is often used in formal apologies. In Japanese, the direct translation 不便 is not used for apologies; use 迷惑 or ご不便をおかけして... instead.
ご迷惑でなければいいのですが。
I hope this doesn't cause you any inconvenience.
ちょっと不便ですが、なんとかします。
It's a bit inconvenient, but I can manage.