Translation guide
The English verb 'agitate' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: stirring or shaking a liquid, making someone anxious or upset, and campaigning for political or social change. Less common meanings are noted but not emphasized.
To move a liquid or mixture vigorously, often by shaking or stirring.
The most common and natural verb for stirring or mixing a liquid or mixture, often with a tool like a spoon.
Please stir the soup.
Means 'to shake'. Used when agitating a container to mix its contents, like shaking a bottle.
Please shake the juice well before drinking.
A technical term for agitating or stirring, often used in scientific or industrial contexts.
Agitate the solution to make it uniform.
To cause someone to feel nervous, worried, or emotionally disturbed.
The most direct equivalent for causing emotional disturbance or upset. Often used in formal or serious contexts.
The news agitated him.
Literally 'make someone anxious'. A common and natural way to express causing anxiety.
Means 'to irritate' or 'to make someone agitated' in a more everyday, emotional sense. Often used for minor annoyances.
His attitude agitates me.
Can mean 'to excite' or 'to agitate' in the sense of stirring up emotions. Be careful: it often implies a more intense or even sexual excitement.
Can imply sexual arousal in some contexts. Use with care.
To actively promote or stir up support for a cause, often in a political context.
The standard term for political agitation or incitement. Often used for stirring up public opinion or action.
He agitated the workers to go on strike.
A loanword from English 'agitation', used specifically for political or social campaigning. Common in activist circles.
Literally 'to start a movement'. A natural way to express agitating for a cause by organizing a campaign.
English 'agitate' in the emotional sense is often translated as 動揺させる or 不安にさせる, but in casual conversation, simpler expressions like 心配させる (to make someone worry) or 緊張させる (to make someone nervous) may be more natural depending on the nuance.
His silence agitated her (made her worried).
His words agitated me.
The debate agitated the crowd.
They carried out agitation activities before the election.
They agitated for environmental protection.