Translation guide
Describes someone who repeatedly asks for something in an annoying or persistent way. In Japanese, this is expressed through adjectives, verbs, and descriptive phrases that convey persistence, annoyance, and lack of consideration for the other person's feelings.
To describe a person or their behavior when they keep asking for something despite being told no or when it's inappropriate.
The most common and versatile word for 'importunate.' It means persistent, insistent, or nagging, often with a negative connotation of being annoying. Can describe people, requests, or behavior.
To describe a request, need, or situation that is urgent in an annoying or inconvenient way.
Combines 'persistent' with 'to press or urge.' It conveys the sense of someone importunately pressing their demands.
借金取りがしつこく迫ってきた。
The debt collector importunately pressed me.
Both mean persistent and annoying, but しつこい is more about the frequency and insistence of the action, while くどい emphasizes the tedious repetition of words or explanations. しつこい is more common for importunate requests.
しつこく誘われて困った。
I was troubled by his importunate invitations.
くどい言い訳はやめて。
Stop making importunate excuses.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'importunate.' Avoid trying to translate it directly; instead, use the adjectives and phrases above depending on the nuance. Using a word like 執拗な in casual conversation may sound overly formal or stiff.
He importunately kept asking me to lend him money.
しつこい勧誘には気をつけてください。
Be careful of importunate solicitations.
Literally 'noisy,' but often used to mean 'persistently annoying' or 'nagging.' It implies that the person's constant demands are bothersome.
そんなにうるさく言わないで。
Don't be so importunate about it.
Means 'repetitive and tedious,' often used for someone who goes on and on about the same request or complaint. It emphasizes the wearisome repetition.
彼のくどい説明にはうんざりした。
I got fed up with his importunate explanations.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'to ask repeatedly.' It describes the action of importuning without strong emotional coloring.
彼は何度も頼んで、ついにOKをもらった。
He importuned repeatedly and finally got an OK.
A more formal and literary adjective meaning 'persistent' or 'tenacious.' It can be used for importunate behavior but is less common in everyday speech.
執拗な要求に困っている。
I'm troubled by importunate demands.
Means 'urgent' or 'pressing,' often used for needs or desires. It can imply importunity when the urgency is imposed on others.
切実な願いを聞き入れた。
I granted the importunate request.
Means 'gloomy' or 'depressing,' but can also describe someone's persistent demands as 'annoying' or 'troublesome.' It focuses on the unpleasant feeling caused by the importunity.
彼のうっとうしい頼み事には参った。
I was fed up with his importunate requests.