Translation guide
The English word 'hassle' refers to something that is troublesome, inconvenient, or involves annoying effort. It can be a noun (a bothersome situation) or a verb (to bother or pester someone). This guide covers natural Japanese ways to express these ideas.
Describing something that is a bother, nuisance, or involves annoying effort.
The most common and versatile word for 'hassle' as a noun. It means trouble, bother, or nuisance. Often used with くさい (troublesome) or in phrases like 面倒をかける (to cause trouble).
それは面倒だね。
That's a hassle, isn't it.
手続きが面倒で、時間がかかった。
The procedure was a hassle and took time.
Refers to time and effort, often implying a hassle in terms of labor or steps involved. Common in phrases like 手間がかかる (takes time/effort).
この料理は手間がかかる。
This dish is a hassle to make (takes a lot of effort).
引っ越しは手間だ。
Moving is a hassle.
A more formal/literary noun meaning annoyance or bothersomeness. Not used in casual speech.
日常の煩わしさから逃れたい。
I want to escape from the hassles of daily life.
Expressing the action of annoying, disturbing, or persistently asking someone to do something.
To pester or nag someone to do something, often used when children hassle parents for something. Implies persistent asking.
子供がおもちゃを買ってとせがんだ。
The child hassled me to buy a toy.
To cause trouble or bother someone, making them feel annoyed or put out. More general than せがむ.
Literally 'to say noisily', meaning to nag or hassle someone verbally. Often used for repeated complaints or demands.
母に部屋を片付けるよううるさく言われた。
My mom hassled me to clean my room.
To annoy, trouble, or cause worry. Can be used for hassling but has a slightly stronger nuance of causing distress.
Describing something as bothersome, annoying, or not worth the effort.
The most common colloquial adjective meaning 'troublesome' or 'a pain'. Very frequently used in daily conversation.
料理するのが面倒くさい。
Cooking is a hassle.
あの人と話すのは面倒くさい。
Talking to that person is a hassle.
The less colloquial form of 面倒くさい, still very common. Slightly more neutral.
書類を書くのが面倒だ。
Filling out forms is a hassle.
Means troublesome, burdensome, or a nuisance. Often used for situations that are difficult to deal with.
この問題は厄介だ。
This problem is a hassle.
Expressing the effort or trouble taken to do something, often implying it's not worth it.
Used when someone goes out of their way to do something, often implying it was a hassle or unnecessary effort. Can be used sarcastically.
わざわざ来てくれてありがとう。
Thanks for going to the hassle of coming all the way here.
わざわざそんなことしなくていいよ。
You don't need to go to the hassle of doing that.
A straightforward pattern: 'Doing X is a hassle.'
毎日料理するのは面倒だ。
Cooking every day is a hassle.
面倒 (めんどう) emphasizes the psychological annoyance or bother, while 手間 (てま) focuses on the time and physical effort required. 面倒くさい is the most common casual expression for 'hassle'.
このゲームは面倒だ。
This game is a hassle (annoying).
このゲームは手間がかかる。
This game takes a lot of effort (time-consuming).
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'hassle'. Avoid direct translations like ハッスル (which means 'hustle' or 'excitement'). Instead, choose the appropriate word based on whether you mean a bothersome thing, the act of pestering, or the feeling of annoyance.
彼はいつも変な質問で私を困らせる。
He always hassles me with weird questions.
騒音が住民を悩ましている。
The noise is hassling the residents.