Translation guide
The English verb 'disturb' covers a range of meanings from interrupting someone's peace to upsetting emotional balance or moving objects. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by the intended meaning.
To bother someone who is resting, sleeping, or wants to be left alone.
General verb for disturbing, interrupting, or getting in the way. Very common and natural.
彼が寝ているところを邪魔しないで。
Don't disturb him while he's sleeping.
Sorry to disturb you.
More formal/literary. To hinder or obstruct someone's peace or activity.
騒音が安眠を妨げた。
The noise disturbed my sleep.
Polite request not to disturb the quiet. Often used in signs or announcements.
図書館では静かにしてください。
Please do not disturb others in the library.
To cause worry, anxiety, or emotional turmoil.
To shake someone emotionally, make them unsettled or agitated.
その知らせは彼女をひどく動揺させた。
The news greatly disturbed her.
To make someone feel anxious or uneasy.
彼の言葉が私を不安にさせた。
His words disturbed me.
To stir up emotions, cause turmoil. More intense and literary.
To cause a disruption in work, a meeting, or a natural flow.
To interrupt or suspend an ongoing activity.
会議を中断しないでください。
Please don't disturb the meeting.
To obstruct or interfere with a process, often with a negative connotation.
彼は私の仕事を妨害した。
He disturbed my work.
To disturb order, rhythm, or balance. Often used in set phrases.
To physically disturb an object, often in a negative sense (e.g., tamper with).
To move something from its place. Neutral but can imply disturbance.
机の上の物を動かさないで。
Don't disturb the things on the desk.
To touch or tamper with something, often carelessly. Casual.
To touch. Often used in negative requests.
To cause a public nuisance or break the law regarding quiet.
To disturb public peace or order. Legal/formal.
その行為は治安を乱すものだ。
That act disturbs the peace.
To cause annoyance or trouble to others. Common in everyday complaints.
夜中に大声を出すと近所に迷惑をかける。
Making loud noise at night disturbs the neighbors.
English 'disturb' is often translated as 邪魔する, but this can sound too strong or intrusive in some contexts. For emotional disturbance, use 動揺させる or 不安にさせる instead. For physical disturbance, 動かす or いじる may be more natural.
邪魔する is the everyday word for disturbing someone's peace or activity. 妨げる is more formal and often used for abstract hindrance (e.g., 睡眠を妨げる). In casual speech, 邪魔する is preferred.
その映画は私の心をかき乱した。
The movie disturbed my mind.
Don't disturb the rhythm.
Don't disturb my computer.
Please do not disturb the exhibits.