Translation guide
Ways to express that someone or something is annoying or irritating in Japanese, from mild irritation to strong anger.
Express that a person, behavior, or situation is bothersome or gets on your nerves.
A very common mimetic word meaning to be irritated, annoyed, or on edge. Can describe both a temporary feeling and a person who is irritating.
彼の話し方はイライラする。
The way he talks gets on my nerves.
待たされてイライラした。
I got irritated from being made to wait.
Casual and slightly stronger than イライラする. Often used among friends. Can express anger or disgust.
あいつの態度、マジでムカつく。
That guy's attitude really gets on my nerves.
毎日同じことでムカついてる。
I get annoyed by the same thing every day.
Literally 'stomach stands up', meaning to get angry or offended. More about anger than mere irritation.
彼の無責任な発言に腹が立った。
I got angry at his irresponsible remarks.
Literally 'touches one's spirit', meaning something rubs you the wrong way or offends you. Often used for remarks or attitudes.
彼女の言い方が気に障った。
Her way of speaking got on my nerves.
Similar to 気に障る but stronger and more literary. Implies hitting a nerve or provoking anger.
彼の傲慢な態度が癇に障った。
His arrogant attitude got on my nerves.
Express that a persistent sound, habit, or circumstance is wearing you down.
Means 'noisy' or 'annoying'. Can be used for sounds, people, or persistent nagging. Often used in the phrase 耳障り (みみざわり) for unpleasant sounds.
隣の部屋の音楽がうるさくてイライラする。
The music from the next room is so loud it gets on my nerves.
彼の声が耳障りだ。
His voice grates on my nerves.
Literally 'touches the nerves', a direct equivalent to 'gets on one's nerves'. Often used for persistent irritations.
その機械の高い音が神経に障る。
The high-pitched sound of that machine gets on my nerves.
Describes a feeling of impatience or irritation when things are slow or not going as desired. More about frustration than anger.
Express that someone is intentionally getting on your nerves or pushing your buttons.
Means to provoke or incite. Often used when someone is trying to get a reaction.
彼はわざと私を挑発している。
He is deliberately getting on my nerves.
Means to tease or make fun of someone in a way that can be annoying. Not necessarily malicious.
弟がいつも私をからかう。
My younger brother always teases me and gets on my nerves.
イライラする is general irritation, often from a situation. ムカつく is more casual and can imply disgust or stronger annoyance. 腹が立つ is about anger, often at a specific action or person.
渋滞でイライラする。
I get irritated in traffic jams.
あの店員の態度にムカついた。
I was really annoyed by that clerk's attitude.
嘘をつかれて腹が立った。
I got angry because I was lied to.
The English phrase 'get on one's nerves' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Using 神経に障る is close but can sound overly formal or medical. In casual conversation, イライラする or ムカつく are more natural.
The English phrase 'get on one's nerves' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Using 神経に障る is close but can sound overly formal or medical. In casual conversation, イライラする or ムカつく are more natural.
彼ののろのろした動きがじれったい。
His sluggish movements get on my nerves.