Translation guide
The English word "busy" covers a range of situations from having a full schedule to being engaged in an activity. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 忙しい (isogashii), but other expressions are used depending on whether you mean a busy period, a crowded place, or being occupied with something.
Expressing that you are busy with work, studies, or daily tasks.
The standard adjective for "busy." Used for people and their schedules.
I'm very busy this week.
I'm so busy with work that I have no time for hobbies.
An onomatopoeic expression meaning to be frantically busy, often with a sense of rushing around.
I was running around all day today.
A lively expression meaning to be extremely busy, often in a chaotic or overwhelmed way.
I'm swamped at the end of the year.
Describing a time when you are generally busy, like a busy week or month.
Describing a place with many people, like a busy street or restaurant.
The most common way to say a place is crowded or busy with people.
This restaurant is always busy.
The station was so crowded I couldn't get on the train.
Means lively or bustling, often with a positive connotation. Not exactly "busy" but used for vibrant places.
Saying that someone is occupied or a phone line is busy.
Used specifically for a phone line that is busy.
The line was busy.
Literally "can't free my hands," meaning you are occupied with something and cannot attend to another task.
A polite way to say someone is busy or occupied, often used in business settings.
Describing a person who interferes in others' affairs.
忙しい (isogashii) is only for people and their schedules. To say a place is busy/crowded, use 混んでいる (kondeiru). Saying 忙しいレストラン is incorrect; say 混んでいるレストラン.
忙しい describes a person's state of having many things to do. 混んでいる describes a place that is crowded with people or things. They are not interchangeable.
I've been so busy lately.
The store is always busy on weekends.
Sorry, I'm busy right now.
I was in a busy period, so my reply was delayed.
この通りはいつも賑やかだ。
This street is always bustling.
I'm tied up right now, so I'll call you later.
He is currently occupied.