Translation guide
How to express becoming emotionally agitated, excited, or upset in Japanese, depending on the cause and intensity.
Expressing that someone becomes worked up, often over something trivial or due to stress.
A general, neutral way to say someone becomes emotional or worked up. Can be used for anger, frustration, or excitement.
彼はすぐ感情的になる。
He gets worked up easily.
Expressing that someone gets worked up in a positive or eager way, often about an event or idea.
Expressing that someone is overreacting or getting agitated without good reason.
To make a big fuss or get worked up over something, often unnecessarily.
彼は小さなミスで大騒ぎした。
He got all worked up over a small mistake.
感情的になる emphasizes losing rational control and becoming emotional, often with a negative connotation. 興奮する is more about a state of excitement or agitation, which can be positive or negative. Use 感情的になる when someone is visibly upset or crying, and 興奮する when they are worked up with energy.
彼女は感情的になって泣き出した。
She got worked up and started crying.
彼は興奮して話し始めた。
He got worked up and started talking.
Do not translate 'get worked up' literally as 仕事を上げる or similar. The concept is idiomatic and requires the expressions above depending on context.
Many people get worked up when it comes to arguments.
To get excited or worked up, often with a nuance of agitation or heightened emotion. Can be positive or negative depending on context.
彼は試合の結果に興奮していた。
He was worked up about the game results.
あまり興奮しないでください。
Please don't get so worked up.
To get worked up over something small, often in a childish or overly serious way. Implies losing composure.
そんな小さなことでムキになるなよ。
Don't get worked up over such a small thing.
To get heated or worked up, especially in an argument or debate. Literally 'become hot'.
議論が白熱して、みんな熱くなった。
The debate intensified and everyone got worked up.
To get enraged or extremely worked up. A formal, literary term for intense anger.
彼は不当な扱いに激昂した。
He got worked up over the unfair treatment.
To get excited or worked up in a group setting, like at a party or event. Implies a lively atmosphere.
パーティーはすごく盛り上がった。
The party really got worked up (everyone got excited).
観客が盛り上がってきた。
The audience is getting worked up.
To get worked up in a playful, high-spirited way, often used for children or people having fun.
子どもたちは遠足の前日からはしゃいでいた。
The kids were worked up since the day before the field trip.
To be worked up in a lighthearted, merry way, often due to a happy event. Can imply being carried away.
彼は昇進に浮かれている。
He's worked up about his promotion.
To make noise or fuss; can mean getting worked up in a disruptive way.
そんなに騒ぐことじゃないよ。
It's not something to get worked up about.
To get worked up over trivial faults; to find fault and get angry. Idiomatic.
彼はいつも人の失敗に目くじらを立てる。
He always gets worked up over other people's mistakes.