Translation guide
The feeling of being annoyed by delays or wanting something to happen sooner. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and verbs that describe irritation, restlessness, or eagerness.
Expressing annoyance or frustration when things are not happening quickly enough.
A noun meaning impatience or feeling rushed, often due to pressure or a sense of urgency. Commonly used in both casual and formal contexts.
彼の焦りが伝わってきた。
I could sense his impatience.
焦りからミスをしてしまった。
I made a mistake out of impatience.
A noun meaning irritation or annoyance, often from waiting or repeated small frustrations. Slightly stronger than 焦り.
長い待ち時間に苛立ちを感じた。
I felt impatience at the long wait.
A noun describing the frustrating feeling of something being slow or not progressing as desired. Often used in casual speech.
彼の話し方にじれったさを感じる。
I feel impatience with his way of speaking.
Expressing positive anticipation or excitement about something upcoming, often with a sense of impatience.
A common phrase meaning 'can't wait'. Used for positive anticipation. Often followed by 〜ほど or 〜くらい.
夏休みが待ちきれない。
I can't wait for summer vacation.
結果が待ちきれなくて、そわそわしている。
I'm so impatient for the results that I'm restless.
Describing physical signs of impatience, such as being unable to stay still.
An onomatopoeic adverb describing restlessness or fidgeting due to impatience or nervousness. Often used with する.
彼は約束の時間が近づいてそわそわしている。
He's getting impatient as the appointment time approaches.
An onomatopoeic adverb expressing irritation or impatience, often with a sense of being on edge. Can be used for both mental and physical agitation.
Describing a person who is habitually impatient or short-tempered.
A na-adjective or noun describing a person who is impatient, hasty, or always in a rush. Commonly used in casual conversation.
彼はせっかちだから、待つのが苦手だ。
He's impatient, so he's not good at waiting.
A phrase meaning 'short-tempered' or 'impatient'. Literally 'spirit is short'.
焦り (aseri) is impatience from urgency or pressure, often with a sense of haste. 苛立ち (iradachi) is irritation or annoyance, which can stem from impatience but is broader. じれったさ (jirettasa) is the frustrating feeling of something being too slow or not progressing, often used for minor daily annoyances.
試験前の焦りで集中できない。
I can't concentrate because of pre-exam impatience.
彼の無責任さに苛立ちを覚える。
I feel irritation at his irresponsibility.
パソコンの起動の遅さにじれったさを感じる。
I feel impatience at how slow my computer starts up.
The English word 'impatience' is often translated directly as 焦り or 苛立ち, but in many contexts, Japanese speakers use specific verbs or adjectives like 待ちきれない or せっかち. Using a noun like 焦り can sound overly formal or abstract in casual conversation.
An adjective meaning 'long-awaited' or 'can hardly wait'. More literary than 待ちきれない.
春が待ち遠しい。
I'm impatient for spring to come.
渋滞でいらいらした。
I got impatient in the traffic jam.
Impatient people hate waiting in line.