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.
スープをかき混ぜてください。
Please stir the soup.
Means 'to shake'. Used when agitating a container to mix its contents, like shaking a bottle.
ジュースをよく振ってから飲んでください。
Please shake the juice well before drinking.
A technical term for agitating or stirring, often used in scientific or industrial contexts.
溶液を撹拌して均一にします。
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.
そのニュースは彼を動揺させた。
The news agitated him.
Literally 'make someone anxious'. A common and natural way to express causing anxiety.
彼の言葉が私を不安にさせた。
His words agitated me.
Means 'to irritate' or 'to make someone agitated' in a more everyday, emotional sense. Often used for minor annoyances.
彼の態度が私をイライラさせる。
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.
その議論は群衆を興奮させた。
The debate agitated the crowd.
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.
彼は労働者を扇動してストライキを起こさせた。
He agitated the workers to go on strike.
A loanword from English 'agitation', used specifically for political or social campaigning. Common in activist circles.
彼らは選挙前にアジテーション活動を行った。
They carried out agitation activities before the election.
Literally 'to start a movement'. A natural way to express agitating for a cause by organizing a campaign.
環境保護の運動を起こした。
They agitated for environmental protection.
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.
彼の沈黙が彼女を心配させた。
His silence agitated her (made her worried).