Translation guide
The English verb 'pester' means to annoy someone repeatedly by asking for something or interrupting them. In Japanese, there is no single perfect equivalent. The best choice depends on the nuance: persistent asking, bothering, nagging, or clinging. This guide covers natural ways to express these ideas.
To repeatedly ask someone for something, often in an annoying way, like a child begging a parent.
Literally 'to ask persistently/insistently'. This is a common and natural way to express pestering someone with requests.
子供がおもちゃを買ってとしつこく頼んだ。
The child pestered me to buy a toy.
To pester or coax someone for something, often used for children begging parents or someone asking for a favor persistently.
娘に新しいゲームをせがまれた。
My daughter pestered me for a new game.
To pester or wheedle someone into giving or doing something, often with a nuance of being spoiled or demanding.
彼はいつもお小遣いをねだる。
He's always pestering me for allowance.
Literally 'to say annoyingly/noisily'. Used when someone keeps nagging or pestering verbally.
母に部屋を片付けろとうるさく言われた。
My mom pestered me to clean my room.
To disturb someone by repeatedly interrupting, following them, or not leaving them alone.
To cling to someone and bother them, like a child who won't leave a parent alone. Implies physical proximity and persistence.
弟が一日中まとわりついてきて、仕事ができなかった。
My little brother pestered me all day and I couldn't get any work done.
To follow someone around and bother them; can be used for stalker-like behavior or just annoying persistence.
To disturb or interrupt someone, often used when someone is trying to work or concentrate.
仕事中に何度も邪魔しないで。
Stop pestering me while I'm working.
To repeatedly tell someone to do something, often in an annoying way, like a spouse nagging about chores.
To nag or pester verbally; literally 'to say in a mouth-noisy way'. Stronger than うるさく言う.
妻に禁煙するように口うるさく言われている。
My wife keeps pestering me to quit smoking.
To nag or scold in a loud, grating way. Onomatopoeic; often used for parents or bosses.
上司にガミガミ言われてうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with my boss pestering me.
There is no direct Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'pester'. Using a dictionary word like 困らせる (to annoy) or 悩ます (to trouble) will sound unnatural. Instead, choose a phrase that matches the specific type of pestering.
Both mean to pester for something, but せがむ is more about persistent asking (often by children), while ねだる implies a more demanding or spoiled attitude, like wheedling. せがむ can be used for non-material requests (e.g., to play with someone), while ねだる is usually for tangible things or favors.
彼はしつこく付きまとって、本当に迷惑だ。
He keeps pestering me by following me around; it's really annoying.