Translation guide
A time when you are very busy, often due to work, school, or seasonal demands. Japanese has several natural expressions depending on whether you mean a busy season, a peak period, or a personal crunch time.
仕事が繁忙期です。
It's a busy period at work.
今、忙しい時期です。
I'm going through a busy period.
Referring to a time of year or a stretch of days/weeks when business, work, or activity is high.
The standard term for a busy period in business or work contexts. Often used for seasonal rushes.
年末は小売業の繁忙期です。
The end of the year is a busy period for the retail industry.
A straightforward, everyday phrase meaning 'busy time/period'. Suitable for personal and work situations.
今は忙しい時期で、毎日残業しています。
It's a busy period right now, so I'm working overtime every day.
Similar to 繁忙期 but slightly more formal or literary. Often used in written reports or news.
このプロジェクトの多忙期は来月まで続きます。
The busy period for this project will continue until next month.
Specifically refers to a peak business period when sales are high, like a 'golden time' for merchants. Not used for personal busyness.
お盆は観光地の書き入れ時だ。
The Obon holiday is a busy period for tourist spots.
Describing a short-term, intense busy stretch in one's personal schedule, like exams or deadlines.
Literally 'busy every day', used to describe a period when you are constantly busy.
引っ越しの準備で忙しい毎日です。
I'm having a busy period every day preparing for the move.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'being rushed off one's feet' or 'in a mad rush'. Vivid and colloquial.
年末はてんてこ舞いだよ。
I'm in a mad rush during the year-end period.
Specifically for a busy period during the day, like rush hour or lunchtime rush.
Refers to rush hour or peak commuting time. Can also be used for other peak times like lunch rush.
ラッシュ時は電車がとても混みます。
Trains get very crowded during the busy period (rush hour).
General term for peak time, used in contexts like electricity usage, traffic, or restaurant crowds.
繁忙期 is more formal and business-like, often used for companies or industries. 忙しい時期 is more personal and can be used in any context. For talking about your own life, 忙しい時期 is safer and more natural.
今、繁忙期で大変です。
It's tough because it's a busy period (at work).
今、忙しい時期で大変です。
It's tough because it's a busy period (in my life).
While 忙しい期間 (いそがしいきかん) is grammatically correct, it sounds unnatural. Use 忙しい時期 instead for a natural expression.
Literally 'even want to borrow a cat's paw', meaning so busy you'd accept help from anyone. Used for peak busy moments.
今週は猫の手も借りたいくらい忙しい。
This week is so busy I could use all the help I can get.
Please visit outside of the busy period (peak hours).