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.
彼の態度は私をイライラさせる。
His attitude irritates me.
渋滞はいつもイライラさせる。
Traffic jams always irritate me.
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.
この石鹸は肌を刺激することがあります。
This soap may irritate the skin.
Actively trying to irritate someone, often for a reaction.
To make someone angry; often used when irritation escalates to anger.
彼はわざと私を怒らせようとした。
He deliberately tried to irritate (anger) me.
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.
彼の行動にはいつも苛立ちを感じる。
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.
私はイライラしている。
I am irritated.
A slightly more formal or written equivalent of イライラさせる. It means to make someone irritated or impatient.
彼の無責任な行動が私を苛立たせた。
His irresponsible behavior irritated me.
To tease or keep someone in suspense in an irritating way; to irritate by not giving what is wanted.
彼は答えを教えてくれなくて、私をじらした。
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.
あいつの言い方がむかつく。
The way he talks irritates me (pisses me off).
The smoke irritated my eyes.
Specifically means to cause a rash or skin irritation, often from contact with something.
その化粧品が肌をかぶれさせた。
The cosmetics irritated my skin (caused a rash).
Medical term meaning to cause inflammation. More technical.
この化学物質は気道に炎症を起こす可能性がある。
This chemical may irritate (cause inflammation in) the airways.
To provoke or incite; stronger than just irritating, implies a deliberate challenge.
彼の言葉は私を挑発した。
His words irritated/provoked me.
To tease or make fun of someone in a way that can be irritating.
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.
それは私をイライラさせる。
That irritates me.
それは私をイライラさせる。
That irritates me.