Translation guide
The English phrase 'be impatient' describes a state of restlessness, frustration, or eagerness when waiting or when progress is slow. Japanese expresses this through adjectives, verbs, and set phrases that focus on the feeling of being unable to wait, annoyance at delays, or a strong desire for something to happen quickly.
Expressing a general state of impatience, eagerness, or inability to wait calmly.
Literally 'cannot finish waiting'. A very common, natural way to say you are so eager or impatient that you can't wait any longer. Often used for positive anticipation.
I can't wait for summer vacation.
I was so impatient for the results that I checked my email over and over.
An i-adjective describing a frustrating feeling of impatience, often when something is slow or not going as desired. It conveys irritation at the situation.
Similar to じれったい, but often implies a feeling of being tantalized or frustrated because you are so close yet unable to reach something. It carries a nuance of irritation mixed with longing.
Literally 'cannot endure/be patient'. Used when you lose patience and can no longer tolerate a situation. Stronger than 待ちきれない and often negative.
Describing behavior where someone rushes or acts without waiting because they are impatient.
A verb meaning to be in a hurry, to panic, or to feel flustered because you are running out of time or falling behind. It often describes the action or state of being impatient.
I'm getting impatient because I might be late.
A transitive verb meaning to rush or hurry someone else. It implies you are making someone impatient or pressuring them to act faster.
A set phrase describing a person's character: 'short-tempered' or 'impatient by nature'. It's a personality trait, not a momentary feeling.
Telling someone to be patient or expressing your own impatience directly.
待ちきれない is for positive anticipation (e.g., can't wait for a fun event). じれったい is for frustration at a slow situation. 焦る is for panicky haste when time is short.
I can't wait for the trip.
This traffic jam is so frustrating.
I panicked because I was almost late for the exam.
Avoid directly translating 'be impatient' as いらいらしている or 短気である in all contexts. いらいらする is more 'irritated/annoyed' than 'impatient', and 短気 is a personality trait. Choose the expression that matches the nuance.
His stories are always long and make me impatient.
The progress was so slow it was frustrating.
I'm so close yet can't reach it; it's maddening.
I can't take it anymore! When are we finally leaving?
I got impatient and made a mistake.
子供を急かして家を出た。
I rushed the kids out of the house.
He's impatient, so he hates waiting in lines.