Translation guide
Describes something or someone that makes a lot of noise, or a place that is loud. Japanese has several words for 'noisy' depending on whether you mean a loud sound, a bustling place, or an annoying person.
Describing a sound or environment that is loud, often unpleasantly so.
The most common and versatile word for 'noisy'. Can describe loud sounds, places, or people. Often carries a nuance of annoyance.
隣の部屋がうるさい。
The next room is noisy.
うるさい音がする。
There's a noisy sound.
Describes a bustling, lively noise, often from people talking or moving around. Less negative than うるさい.
教室が騒がしい。
The classroom is noisy.
Similar to うるさい but stronger and more emphatic. Often used in Kansai dialect. Can also mean 'strict' or 'fussy'.
やかましい！静かにしろ。
Noisy! Be quiet.
A literary or formal word for 'noisy', often used in writing. Rare in everyday speech.
喧しい都会の生活
the noisy city life
Describing a person who talks too much or is bothersome.
Describing a lively, crowded place with a lot of activity and noise.
A positive word for 'lively' or 'bustling'. Often used for places with many people and cheerful noise.
この通りは賑やかだ。
This street is noisy/lively.
Can also be used for bustling places, but may carry a slightly negative nuance of disorder.
うるさい is the default for 'noisy' and often implies annoyance. 騒がしい suggests a bustling, somewhat disorderly noise. 賑やか is positive and means 'lively' or 'bustling', not necessarily unpleasant.
うるさいから音楽を止めて。
It's noisy, so turn off the music.
子供たちが騒がしく遊んでいる。
The children are playing noisily.
賑やかなパーティーだった。
It was a lively party.
The English loanword ノイジー is sometimes used in music or technical contexts (e.g., 'noisy data'), but it is not natural for describing everyday loud sounds or people. Stick to native Japanese words.
Specifically means 'noisy' in the sense of talking too much, nagging, or being fussy.
母は口うるさい。
My mother is noisy/nagging.
市場はいつも騒がしい。
The market is always noisy.