Translation guide
Describes sounds, words, or speech that are grating, offensive, or hard to listen to. Japanese uses different expressions depending on whether the sound is physically harsh, the words are insulting, or the content is emotionally painful.
Describing a sound that is physically unpleasant to the ear, like noise, screeching, or discordant sounds.
Literally 'ear-obstacle', this is the most common and natural way to say a sound is unpleasant to hear. It can refer to any grating or irritating noise.
あの工事の音は耳障りだ。
That construction noise is unpleasant to hear.
Means 'sticks in the ear' and implies a sound that is repetitive or annoying, often used for voices or sounds that you can't ignore.
彼の高い声が耳について、集中できない。
His high-pitched voice is unpleasant to hear and I can't concentrate.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'unpleasant sound'. It's clear but less idiomatic than 耳障り.
この機械は不快な音を出す。
This machine makes an unpleasant sound.
Describing speech that is rude, insulting, or hurtful to listen to.
Literally 'unbearable to listen to', used for speech that is so offensive or vulgar that you can't stand hearing it. Stronger than 耳障り.
彼の暴言は聞くに堪えない。
His abusive language is unpleasant to hear.
Can also be used for offensive words, though it's more common for sounds. Context makes it clear.
その冗談は耳障りだった。
That joke was unpleasant to hear.
Means 'painful to hear' and can be used for speech that is embarrassing, awkward, or offensive.
Describing news, stories, or truths that are sad, shocking, or hard to accept.
Literally 'ear hurts', used when hearing a truth or criticism that hits close to home. It's unpleasant because it's accurate.
彼の指摘は耳が痛かった。
His point was unpleasant to hear (because it was true).
Means 'hard to listen to' in an emotional sense, for sad stories or bad news.
その事故の詳細は聞くのが辛い。
The details of the accident are unpleasant to hear.
Literally 'cannot bear to listen', a more literary expression for something so tragic or pitiful that you can't stand hearing it.
被災者の話は聞くに忍びない。
The victims' stories are too painful to hear.
耳障り is a general term for any unpleasant sound, while 耳につく specifically implies a sound that is repetitive or catches your attention in an annoying way. 耳障り is more about the quality of the sound, 耳につく is about its persistence.
不快な音 refers only to physical sounds, not to words or content. For offensive speech, use 聞くに堪えない or 耳障り.
彼の言い訳は聞き苦しい。
His excuses are unpleasant to hear.