Translation guide
This guide covers how to express the idea of causing trouble in Japanese, from everyday apologies to serious disruptions.
To express causing inconvenience, annoyance, or minor trouble to someone.
The most common and natural way to say 'cause trouble' in the sense of bothering or inconveniencing someone. Literally 'to hang/sprinkle annoyance'.
I'm sorry for causing you trouble.
He's always causing trouble for those around him.
Similar to 迷惑をかける, but implies causing someone extra work or a hassle. Often used when you feel you've put someone out.
Sorry for causing you trouble (making you go out of your way).
A more formal expression meaning to cause someone trouble by requiring their time and effort. Often used in business or polite requests.
I'm sorry to cause you trouble, but I appreciate your help.
To express causing significant problems, disruptions, or conflicts.
Literally 'to cause a problem'. Used for a wide range of issues, from minor to serious.
He caused trouble at school.
If you do that, you'll cause trouble.
A loanword from English 'trouble', often used for conflicts, disputes, or technical problems.
Specifically means to cause a disturbance, commotion, or uproar. Often implies public disruption.
To express getting oneself into trouble or a difficult situation.
Means to end up in a troublesome situation, often due to one's own actions. Literally 'become a troublesome thing'.
If you lie, you'll cause trouble for yourself.
Similar to 面倒なことになる, but implies a more complicated or messy situation. Often used in casual speech.
To express deliberately causing trouble, often in a playful or malicious way.
Means to play a prank or do mischief. Can range from harmless fun to malicious acts.
The child caused trouble (played a prank) and annoyed the teacher.
A colloquial way to say 'do bad things' or 'cause mischief'. Often used for minor troublemaking.
That kid is always causing trouble (misbehaving).
迷惑 (meiwaku) is about bothering or annoying someone. 面倒 (mendou) is about causing extra work or hassle. 問題 (mondai) is a more general 'problem' and can be serious. Choose based on the nature of the trouble.
Avoid directly translating 'cause' as 起こす (okosu) in all cases. While 問題を起こす is fine, 迷惑を起こす is unnatural. Use 迷惑をかける instead.
He often causes trouble in relationships.
A drunk caused trouble (a disturbance) in the store.
If you say unnecessary things, you'll cause trouble (make things complicated).