Translation guide
The English word 'angry' covers a range of emotions from mild irritation to intense rage. In Japanese, the most common and versatile word is 怒る (okoru), but there are many other expressions that convey different nuances, levels of formality, and intensity. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression based on the situation and the degree of anger.
Expressing that someone is angry or mad in a general sense, without specifying intensity.
The most common and versatile verb for 'to get angry' or 'to be angry'. Can be used for both momentary anger and a general state.
Literally 'stomach stands up', meaning to get irritated or angry. Very common in spoken Japanese. Often used for personal annoyance.
彼の態度には腹が立つ。
His attitude makes me angry.
あの言い方に腹が立った。
I got angry at the way he said that.
The progressive form of 怒る, meaning 'is angry' (current state). Often used to describe someone's visible anger.
彼女はまだ怒っている。
She is still angry.
Slangy, casual expression meaning 'to be pissed off' or 'irritated'. Very common among younger people. Can be used for things or people.
あいつ、マジでムカつく。
That guy really pisses me off.
電車が遅れてムカついた。
I got annoyed because the train was late.
Expressing strong anger, fury, or rage.
Formal/literary word for 'to be furious' or 'enraged'. Often used in writing or serious contexts.
彼はその知らせに激怒した。
He was furious at the news.
Literally 'to go mad with anger', meaning to rage or be in a blind fury. Strong and dramatic.
彼は怒り狂って机を叩いた。
He raged and pounded the desk.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'to get really angry' or 'to lose one's temper'. Literally 'it comes to the head'. Common in spoken Japanese.
Onomatopoeic expression meaning 'to be boiling mad' or 'fuming'. Often used for visible, intense anger.
父はカンカンになって怒鳴った。
My father got boiling mad and yelled.
Expressing mild anger, irritation, or being bothered by something.
Mimetic word for feeling irritated, frustrated, or on edge. Very common for everyday annoyances.
渋滞でイライラした。
I got irritated by the traffic jam.
彼はいつもイライラしている。
He is always irritable.
Verb meaning 'to be irritated' or 'to feel impatient'. Slightly more formal than イライラする.
彼の遅刻に苛立った。
I was irritated by his lateness.
To get impatient or irritated due to things not going as expected. Often used for frustration with oneself or a situation.
Describing someone who looks angry or has an angry expression.
Literally 'scary face', but commonly used to mean 'angry face' or 'stern look'. Often used when someone looks mad.
彼は怖い顔をしている。
He has an angry look on his face.
Directly 'angry face'. Simple and clear.
怒った顔をしないで。
Don't make an angry face.
To look offended or sulky; to show anger on one's face in a restrained way. Often used for a quick flash of anger.
彼女はむっとして部屋を出た。
She looked angry and left the room.
Expressing anger through words, such as scolding or yelling.
To scold or tell someone off, often in a disciplinary context (parent to child, boss to subordinate).
先生は遅刻した生徒を叱った。
The teacher scolded the student who was late.
To yell or shout in anger. Implies a loud voice.
To nag or scold noisily and persistently. Often used for a wife or mother nagging.
母はいつもガミガミ言う。
My mother is always nagging.
Expressing anger that persists over time, resentment, or a grudge.
To bear a grudge, to resent. Strong emotional word implying deep-seated anger.
彼は裏切った友人を恨んでいる。
He resents the friend who betrayed him.
To hold a grudge; to not forget and forgive. Literally 'to hold at the root'.
Same reading as 恨む but with a stronger nuance of deep-seated grudge or curse. Often used in historical or dramatic contexts.
怒る (okoru) is the standard verb for 'get angry'. 腹が立つ (hara ga tatsu) is an idiomatic phrase meaning 'to get irritated/angry', often used for personal annoyance. ムカつく (mukatsuku) is slangy and casual, meaning 'to be pissed off'. Use 怒る in most situations; 腹が立つ when you want to emphasize the feeling of irritation; ムカつく only in very casual settings.
彼はすぐ怒る。
He gets angry easily.
その態度に腹が立った。
I got angry at that attitude.
あの言い方、マジでムカつく。
That way of talking really pisses me off.
In English, you can say 'He is an angry person.' In Japanese, 怒る (okoru) is a verb, so you cannot directly say 彼は怒る人です (kare wa okoru hito desu) to mean 'He is an angry person.' Instead, use phrases like 彼は怒りっぽい (kare wa okorippoi - he is quick to anger) or 彼は短気だ (kare wa tanki da - he is short-tempered).
彼の無責任さには頭に来た。
I got really angry at his irresponsibility.
I got frustrated because things weren't going well.
He yelled and complained.
She still holds a grudge about the past.
He tried to avenge his grudge.