How to say "annoyance" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 迷惑めいわくnoun, na-adjectiveThe everyday word for the trouble or nuisance someone causes you: annoyance imposed from outside, such as being disturbed by a neighbor's noise. It points to the bother itself, not your inner emotion.迷惑にならないようにしなさい。↗Never make a nuisance of yourself.
- 癪しゃくnoun, na-adjectiveNames a feeling rather than a situation: vexation or peeved irritation, usually directed at a person or slight. A less common word for the annoyance that builds up inside you.
- 泣かせなかせnoun (suffix)Not the feeling but its cause: a person or thing that is a bane to someone, a constant source of worry or grief. Seldom the word for everyday annoyance.
- 人泣かせひとなかせna-adjective, nounLiterally one who makes people cry: someone whose behavior causes those around them grief, a real nuisance. It names the culprit, not the emotion.
- 苛立ちいらだちnounThe emotion itself: irritation or frustration you feel, as opposed to the person or thing causing it. The natural choice when 'annoyance' refers to an inner state.
Use 迷惑 for the nuisance or trouble someone causes you, 「苛立ち」 or 癪 for the feeling of irritation itself, and 「泣かせ」 or 「人泣かせ」 for a person or thing that is a constant source of grief.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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