Translation guide
How to express 'nagging' in Japanese, from persistent complaining to mild pestering.
To describe someone who repeatedly complains, criticizes, or scolds, often in an annoying way.
To describe repeatedly asking someone to do something, often in an annoying way.
To persistently ask or pester someone to do something. しつこい means persistent/insistent.
彼はしつこく頼んできた。
He kept nagging me to do it.
Literally 'to say annoyingly', used for nagging or pestering.
To describe a persistent, mild discomfort or worry that won't go away.
A nagging pain. しつこい means persistent and annoying.
しつこい痛みが続いている。
I have a nagging pain that won't go away.
A smoldering or nagging anxiety. くすぶる means to smolder or linger.
口うるさい is an adjective describing a person's character, while 小言 is a noun for the act or content of nagging. You can say 小言を言う (to nag) but not 口うるさいを言う.
彼は口うるさい。
He is a nag.
彼はいつも小言を言う。
He always nags.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'nagging'. Avoid direct translations like ナッギング. Use context-appropriate expressions instead.
Describes a person who is nagging or constantly complaining. Literally 'mouth-noisy'.
彼女は口うるさい。
She is nagging.
A noun meaning nagging, scolding, or petty complaints. Often used with 言う.
母はいつも小言を言う。
My mother is always nagging.
An onomatopoeic phrase for nagging or scolding loudly and persistently.
上司がガミガミ言ってきた。
My boss was nagging at me.
Similar to 口うるさい, meaning nagging or fault-finding.
あの人は口やかましい。
That person is nagging.
宿題のことをうるさく言わないで。
Stop nagging me about my homework.
To pester or coax someone to do something, often used with children or in a pleading way.
子供がおもちゃを買ってとせがんだ。
The child nagged me to buy a toy.
心の奥でくすぶる不安がある。
There's a nagging anxiety deep inside.
Nagging fatigue that doesn't go away. Literally 'fatigue that won't come off'.
取れない疲れがたまっている。
I have a nagging fatigue built up.