Translation guide
The English verb 'annoy' covers a range of situations from mild irritation to persistent bothering. Japanese expresses this through various verbs and adjectives that differ in intensity, cause, and whether the feeling is momentary or ongoing. The most common equivalent is 迷惑をかける (to cause trouble/annoyance), but more direct translations like イライラさせる (to irritate) are also frequent.
To bother, disturb, or inconvenience someone, often by one's actions or presence.
Literally 'to cause trouble/annoyance'. This is the most common and natural way to say you are annoying someone, especially in social contexts. It implies that your actions are a nuisance.
遅刻して迷惑をかけてすみません。
Sorry for annoying you by being late.
大きな音で迷惑をかけないでください。
Please don't annoy others with loud noises.
Means 'to disturb' or 'to interrupt'. Used when you are bothering someone who is busy or in the middle of something.
仕事中に邪魔してごめん。
Sorry to annoy you while you're working.
Means 'to find someone/something annoying/noisy'. It describes the reaction of the person being annoyed, often used in third person.
彼は子供たちをうるさがっている。
He is annoyed by the children.
To provoke a feeling of irritation, often through repeated actions or specific behaviors.
Causative form of the mimetic word イライラ (irritation). It means 'to make someone irritated/frustrated'. Very common for describing things that get on your nerves.
彼の態度は私をイライラさせる。
His attitude annoys me.
渋滞は本当にイライラさせる。
Traffic jams really annoy me.
Causative of 怒る (to get angry). Means 'to make someone angry'. Stronger than 'annoy' but often used in similar contexts when the annoyance escalates.
彼を怒らせるようなことを言わないで。
Don't say things that will annoy him.
Slang/casual verb meaning 'to be pissed off/annoyed'. Often used by younger people. Intransitive, so the annoying thing is marked with に.
Means 'to tease' or 'to irritate by keeping someone in suspense'. It's a specific type of annoyance caused by not giving someone what they want.
To repeatedly ask, demand, or bother someone until they get annoyed.
From the adjective しつこい (persistent). Means 'to pester' or 'to be insistent'. Very common for describing someone who won't leave you alone.
彼はしつこく電話してくる。
He keeps calling and annoying me.
Means 'to pester (for something)', often used when children nag their parents for toys or treats.
子供がおもちゃを買ってとせがむ。
The child keeps annoying me to buy a toy.
Means 'to follow around' or 'to haunt'. Implies a persistent, often unwanted presence that annoys.
To express that you are feeling annoyed or irritated.
The intransitive counterpart of イライラさせる. Means 'to be irritated/annoyed'. Very common.
待たされてイライラした。
I was annoyed because I had to wait.
Literally 'stomach stands'. Means 'to get angry/annoyed'. Slightly stronger than イライラする.
彼の無責任さには腹が立つ。
His irresponsibility annoys me.
Means 'to hurt one's feelings' or 'to be offensive/annoying'. Used when something rubs you the wrong way.
Slang adjective meaning 'annoying' or 'troublesome'. Very casual, often used by young people. Short for うざったい.
迷惑 (meiwaku) is about causing trouble or inconvenience to others, often in a social context. イライラ is about personal irritation or frustration. Use 迷惑 when your actions affect others negatively, and イライラ when something gets on your nerves.
電車で電話するのは迷惑だ。
Talking on the phone on the train is annoying (to others).
電車が遅れてイライラする。
I'm annoyed because the train is late.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'annoy'. Direct translations like アノイする do not exist. Always consider the context: are you bothering someone, making them angry, or feeling irritated yourself? Choose the appropriate expression.
あいつの言い方にむかつく。
The way he talks annoys me.
She annoyed me by not giving me an answer.
彼はいつも私に付きまとってうるさい。
He always follows me around and annoys me.
彼の冗談は気に障った。
His joke annoyed me.
That person is annoying.