Translation guide
How to express doing something with hesitation, unwillingness, or lack of enthusiasm in Japanese.
The speaker does an action but feels internal resistance, hesitation, or lack of enthusiasm.
The most common and neutral way to say 'reluctantly.' It implies doing something with hesitation or unwillingness, often because you have no choice.
彼は渋々承諾した。
He reluctantly agreed.
渋々ながら、引き受けることにした。
I decided to take it on, albeit reluctantly.
Similar to 渋々, but with a stronger nuance of dislike or distaste. Often used when the action is unpleasant.
子供は嫌々野菜を食べた。
The child reluctantly ate the vegetables.
Literally 'having no choice,' this phrase emphasizes that the action is done reluctantly because there is no alternative.
雨が降っていたので、仕方なくタクシーに乗った。
It was raining, so I reluctantly took a taxi.
A more formal or literary expression meaning 'reluctantly' or 'grudgingly.' Often used in written language.
彼は不承不承その条件を受け入れた。
He reluctantly accepted the conditions.
The speaker agrees to a request or accepts a situation, but without enthusiasm.
A common adverbial phrase meaning 'reluctantly' or 'with reluctance.' Often used before verbs of agreement or acceptance.
しぶしぶながら、彼の提案に賛成した。
I reluctantly agreed to his proposal.
Similar to しぶしぶながら, but with a stronger sense of dislike. Used when agreeing to something unpleasant.
いやいやながら、彼女はその仕事を引き受けた。
She reluctantly took on the job.
The action is performed with hesitation, often physically slow or with pauses, showing reluctance.
Describes doing something timidly or hesitantly, often due to fear or reluctance. It conveys a sense of nervous hesitation.
彼はおずおずと部屋に入ってきた。
He reluctantly entered the room.
Describes fidgeting or hesitating, often when someone is too shy or reluctant to speak or act. More about the physical manifestation of reluctance.
The speaker uses certain phrases or sentence endings to convey reluctance or hesitation.
A common pattern meaning 'I don't want to, but...' Used to express reluctance before stating the action.
行きたくないけど、行かなきゃ。
I don't want to go, but I have to. (reluctantly)
Literally 'I'm not keen on doing...' A polite way to express reluctance.
その仕事をするのは気が進まない。
I'm reluctant to do that job.
A more direct way to say 'I hate doing it, but...' Expresses strong reluctance.
謝るのは嫌だけど、仕方ない。
I hate to apologize, but I have no choice. (reluctantly)
渋々 (shibushibu) is the most neutral and common for 'reluctantly.' 嫌々 (iyaiya) adds a nuance of dislike or distaste. 仕方なく (shikatanaku) emphasizes the lack of choice. Use 渋々 for general reluctance, 嫌々 when the action is unpleasant, and 仕方なく when circumstances force you.
渋々引き受けた。
I reluctantly accepted (with hesitation).
嫌々引き受けた。
I reluctantly accepted (because I hated it).
仕方なく引き受けた。
I reluctantly accepted (because I had no choice).
There is no single adverb that perfectly matches 'reluctantly' in all contexts. Avoid using 気が進まない as a direct adverb; it's more natural as a phrase. Also, do not use 不本意ながら (fuhon'i nagara) casually; it is very formal and often used in business or official apologies.
彼は渋々手伝うことに同意した。
He reluctantly agreed to help.
彼女は渋々自分の間違いを認めた。
She reluctantly admitted her mistake.
仕方なくパーティーに行った。
I reluctantly went to the party.
彼女はもじもじして、なかなか話し出さなかった。
She hesitated, reluctant to start speaking.