Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing uneasiness often involves describing a vague sense of worry, discomfort, or anxiety. The most common and versatile word is 不安 (fuan), but other expressions capture nuances like restlessness, foreboding, or physical unease.
Expressing a general feeling of worry, anxiety, or lack of peace of mind.
The most common and direct word for uneasiness, anxiety, or worry. Can be used in many contexts, from mild unease to serious anxiety.
試験の結果が不安だ。
I'm uneasy about the exam results.
彼は将来に不安を感じている。
He feels uneasy about the future.
Often translated as 'worry', but can also express uneasiness about a specific thing or person. More concrete than 不安.
母の健康が心配だ。
I'm uneasy about my mother's health.
A lingering worry or concern that stays on your mind. Slightly more formal and less intense than 心配.
彼の無事が気がかりだ。
I'm uneasy about his safety.
Describing a feeling of being unable to relax, physically or mentally unsettled.
Literally 'not calm', used for a restless, fidgety feeling. Can be due to worry, excitement, or an unfamiliar environment.
何だか落ち着かない気分だ。
I feel somehow uneasy.
新しい職場はまだ落ち着かない。
I still feel uneasy at the new workplace.
Onomatopoeic word for being restless or fidgety, often from anticipation or mild anxiety. More casual.
Expressing a sense that something bad might happen, without a clear reason.
Common phrase meaning 'I have a bad feeling about this' or 'I sense something bad will happen'.
嫌な予感がして、家に帰った。
Feeling uneasy, I went home.
A feeling of uneasiness or foreboding in one's chest; a premonition that something bad will happen. More literary or dramatic.
胸騒ぎがして眠れなかった。
I felt so uneasy I couldn't sleep.
Feeling uncomfortable or ill at ease in social situations.
Describes feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a particular environment or social setting.
パーティーで居心地が悪かった。
I felt uneasy at the party.
Specifically for awkwardness between people, often after an argument or embarrassing moment.
気まずい沈黙が続いた。
An uneasy silence continued.
不安 (fuan) is a more general, often vague uneasiness or anxiety, while 心配 (shinpai) is worry about a specific thing or person. 不安 can be existential; 心配 is usually concrete.
Avoid directly translating 'uneasy' as 不安定 (fuantei, 'unstable') or 不自然 (fushizen, 'unnatural'). These have different meanings. Use 不安 or other context-appropriate expressions.
面接の前でそわそわしている。
I'm feeling uneasy before the interview.