Translation guide
How to express becoming emotionally agitated, excited, or upset in Japanese, depending on the cause and intensity.
He gets worked up easily.
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.
He was worked up about the game results.
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.
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'.
The debate intensified and everyone got worked up.
To get enraged or extremely worked up. A formal, literary term for intense anger.
He got worked up over the unfair treatment.
Expressing that someone gets worked up in a positive or eager way, often about an event or idea.
To get excited or worked up in a group setting, like at a party or event. Implies a lively atmosphere.
The party really got worked up (everyone got excited).
To get worked up in a playful, high-spirited way, often used for children or people having fun.
To be worked up in a lighthearted, merry way, often due to a happy event. Can imply being carried away.
Expressing that someone is overreacting or getting agitated without good reason.
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.
She got worked up and started crying.
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.
The audience is getting worked up.
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.
彼は昇進に浮かれている。
He's worked up about his promotion.
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.
He always gets worked up over other people's mistakes.