Translation guide
The English word 'tiresome' describes something that is boring, annoying, or draining because it continues for too long or requires too much effort. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; instead, different words and phrases are used depending on whether the feeling is mental fatigue, physical exhaustion, annoyance, or boredom.
Describing a task, situation, or person that is mentally exhausting, monotonous, or requires too much patience.
A very common, casual adjective meaning something is bothersome, troublesome, or too much effort. Often used for tasks you don't want to do.
この書類整理は本当に面倒くさい。
This paperwork is really tiresome.
毎日同じ作業の繰り返しで面倒くさい。
Doing the same work every day is tiresome.
Means 'boring' or 'tedious'. Used when something lacks interest and feels dull, making you mentally tired.
彼の話はいつも退屈で疲れる。
His stories are always tiresome and exhausting.
退屈な会議が続いて、眠くなった。
The tiresome meeting dragged on and I got sleepy.
Slangy adjective meaning sluggish, bothersome, or tiresome. Often used for physical or mental lethargy.
今日はなんだかかったるくて、何もしたくない。
I feel kind of tiresome today and don't want to do anything.
A verb phrase meaning to be fed up, sick and tired of something repetitive or annoying. Emphasizes emotional exhaustion.
彼の愚痴にはうんざりする。
I'm tired of his constant complaining.
毎日同じことの繰り返しでうんざりだ。
I'm sick and tired of the same routine every day.
Describing an activity or situation that makes you physically tired, often due to prolonged effort.
The basic verb for 'to get tired'. Can be used for anything physically or mentally tiring.
この仕事は本当に疲れる。
This job is really tiresome.
長時間の運転は疲れる。
Driving for long hours is tiresome.
A more colloquial verb meaning to be worn out or exhausted, often physically.
A formal phrase meaning 'to consume physical strength'. Used for activities that are physically draining.
このトレーニングは体力を消耗する。
This training is physically tiresome.
Describing a person, behavior, or situation that is annoying because it keeps happening or won't stop.
Means persistent, insistent, or nagging in an annoying way. Often used for people or actions that won't give up.
彼のしつこい勧誘には本当に疲れる。
His tiresome sales pitch really wears me out.
しつこい質問をやめてください。
Please stop asking tiresome questions.
Slang adjective meaning annoying, irritating, or bothersome. Stronger than 面倒くさい.
Means to feel irritated or frustrated. Often used when something is tiresome because it gets on your nerves.
渋滞の中での運転はイライラする。
Driving in traffic jams is tiresome and frustrating.
Describing something that is dull, monotonous, and makes you lose interest.
The most common word for 'boring' or 'dull'. Can be used for anything uninteresting.
この映画はつまらなくて、途中で寝てしまった。
This movie was so tiresome I fell asleep halfway through.
彼の話はいつもつまらない。
His stories are always tiresome.
Similar to つまらない but slightly more formal. Emphasizes the feeling of boredom.
退屈な日常から抜け出したい。
I want to escape from this tiresome daily routine.
面倒くさい focuses on the bother or hassle of doing something. 疲れる is about the resulting fatigue (physical or mental). 退屈な is about boredom and lack of stimulation. Choose based on what aspect of 'tiresome' you want to emphasize.
片付けが面倒くさい。
Cleaning up is a hassle (tiresome because it's bothersome).
片付けで疲れる。
I get tired from cleaning up (tiresome because it's physically draining).
片付けは退屈だ。
Cleaning up is boring (tiresome because it's dull).
There is no single Japanese adjective that covers all uses of 'tiresome'. Avoid trying to directly translate it; instead, use the appropriate word for the specific feeling (boredom, fatigue, annoyance). Using 疲れる for a boring movie might sound odd; use つまらない or 退屈な instead.
引っ越し作業でくたびれた。
I'm worn out from the tiresome moving work.
あの人の話し方がうざったい。
That person's way of speaking is tiresome.