Translation guide
How to express 'irritate' in Japanese, covering physical irritation, emotional annoyance, and provoking someone.
Expressing that someone or something causes mild to strong annoyance or frustration.
A very common, colloquial way to say something or someone irritates you. It describes a state of irritation or frustration.
His attitude irritates me.
Traffic jams always irritate me.
A slightly more formal or written equivalent of イライラさせる. It means to make someone irritated or impatient.
His irresponsible behavior irritated me.
To tease or keep someone in suspense in an irritating way; to irritate by not giving what is wanted.
He irritated me by not telling me the answer.
Slangy, strong expression meaning to piss someone off or make them feel disgusted/irritated. Often used among younger people.
The way he talks irritates me (pisses me off).
Describing when a substance or condition irritates the skin, eyes, throat, etc.
General term for physical or chemical irritation. Can also be used for mental stimulation.
This soap may irritate the skin.
The smoke irritated my eyes.
Specifically means to cause a rash or skin irritation, often from contact with something.
The cosmetics irritated my skin (caused a rash).
Medical term meaning to cause inflammation. More technical.
Actively trying to irritate someone, often for a reaction.
To make someone angry; often used when irritation escalates to anger.
He deliberately tried to irritate (anger) me.
To provoke or incite; stronger than just irritating, implies a deliberate challenge.
His words irritated/provoked me.
To tease or make fun of someone in a way that can be irritating.
Both mean 'to irritate', but イライラさせる is more colloquial and commonly used in daily conversation. 苛立たせる is slightly more formal and often found in writing. The noun form 苛立ち (いらだち) means irritation/frustration.
I always feel irritation at his behavior.
Avoid directly translating 'irritate' as いらいらする in all contexts. いらいらする is intransitive (to feel irritated), while イライラさせる is transitive (to irritate someone). Using the wrong form can change the meaning.
I am irritated.
That irritates me.
This chemical may irritate (cause inflammation in) the airways.
弟はいつも私をからかってイライラさせる。
My younger brother always teases me and irritates me.