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A2 adverb #2,000 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

いらいら

iraira Top 2,000

At the A1 level, 'iraira' is introduced as a simple way to say you are 'unhappy' because you are waiting. It is often taught alongside basic verbs like 'matsu' (to wait). Students learn that 'iraira' is a sound that represents a feeling. You might use it when the bus is late or when you are hungry. The focus is on the 'suru' verb form: 'Iraira suru'. It's a useful word for basic self-expression, allowing beginners to convey a specific type of discomfort that 'kanashii' (sad) or 'itai' (painful) doesn't cover. It's the first step into the world of Japanese onomatopoeia, which is essential for sounding natural. Teachers often use gestures like tapping a watch to explain it. At this stage, don't worry about the nuance—just use it when you feel impatient.

At the A2 level, you start to see 'iraira' in more varied contexts. You learn that it's not just for waiting, but also for things that don't work correctly, like a slow computer or a noisy neighbor. You begin to use the 'te-form' to connect it to reasons: 'Basu ga konakute, iraira shimashita' (The bus didn't come, and I was irritated). You also start to recognize it in listening exercises where people are complaining about daily life. The A2 learner should be able to distinguish 'iraira' from 'okoru' (anger). 'Iraira' is the feeling inside, while 'okoru' is the action of getting mad at someone. You might also encounter the causative 'iraira saseru' (to make someone irritated) in simple stories or dialogues about family or friends.

At the B1 level, 'iraira' becomes a tool for describing atmosphere and character traits. You might describe a person as 'iraira shiyasui' (easy to get irritated). You also learn the adverbial use more deeply, such as 'iraira to hibi o sugosu' (to spend days irritably). B1 learners should understand the cultural context of 'iraira'—that while it's a common feeling, expressing it too much can be seen as a lack of 'gaman' (endurance). You will see it in essays about stress management or workplace dynamics. You also start to learn synonyms like 'ki ga tatsu' (to be on edge) and how 'iraira' is more colloquial. The focus shifts from just 'feeling' to 'managing' and 'describing' the feeling in a social context.

At the B2 level, you explore the psychological and physiological nuances of 'iraira'. You might encounter it in literature or news reports about 'road rage' (unten-chu no iraira). You learn the noun form 'iraira-kan' and how it's used in medical or psychological texts to describe a symptom of anxiety or burnout. B2 learners should be able to use 'iraira' to describe complex social situations, such as the frustration of a generation or the tension in a political debate. You also learn to use it with more complex grammar, like 'iraira o osaekirenai' (cannot suppress the irritation). The word is no longer just a simple feeling; it's a window into the pressures of modern Japanese society and the concept of 'stress culture'.

At the C1 level, you analyze 'iraira' within the broader framework of Japanese aesthetics and linguistics. You study its etymology (from 'ira' meaning thorn) and how it fits into the system of 'giseigo' and 'gitaigo'. You can discuss the subtle differences between 'iraira', 'jirettai' (impatient/frustratingly slow), and 'hagayui' (impatient/vexed). C1 learners use 'iraira' in sophisticated ways, perhaps in a critique of a film's pacing or a character's internal monologue. You understand how the use of 'iraira' in a text can signal a character's lack of emotional maturity or a specific social class. You can also use it metaphorically to describe a 'prickly' situation in business negotiations or international relations where progress is stalled.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'iraira' and can use it with absolute precision. you can identify when 'iraira' is being used ironically or as a form of hyperbole. You can discuss the evolution of the word from classical Japanese to modern slang. You might use it in a philosophical discussion about the nature of patience in a digital age. C2 learners can also appreciate the use of 'iraira' in high-level literature, where it might be used to evoke a specific sensory atmosphere without even mentioning the word directly, using only its 'prickly' connotations. You are capable of translating the word into English or other languages while capturing all its cultural baggage, recognizing that 'irritated' is often an insufficient translation for the deep-seated 'iraira' of a Tokyo commuter.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

いらいら en 30 secondes

Iraira describes the feeling of irritation and impatience, often caused by delays or minor annoyances.
It is a 'gitaigo' (mimetic word) that literally feels like small thorns pricking your nerves.
Commonly used as 'iraira suru' to express being annoyed by slow progress or repetitive noises.
It is a key word for expressing daily stress in Japan, from traffic jams to slow technology.

The Japanese word いらいら (Iraira) is a classic example of a gitaigo (mimetic word) that describes a state of psychological unrest, specifically irritation or impatience. Imagine the feeling of small, prickly thorns rubbing against your nerves; that is the essence of 'iraira'. It is primarily used when things are not progressing as quickly as you would like, or when someone's behavior is grating on your patience. Unlike explosive anger (okoru), 'iraira' is the simmering heat before the boil—the internal friction caused by delay, incompetence, or physical discomfort.

Core Concept: The internal friction of impatience and mild annoyance.

渋滞のせいで、心がいらいらしてきた。
(Because of the traffic jam, I've started to feel irritated.)

Historically, the term is thought to derive from the word 'ira' (thorn), suggesting the sensation of being pricked. In modern Japanese, it is almost always written in hiragana, though katakana (イライラ) is common in manga or to emphasize the raw emotion. It is a versatile word that bridges the gap between a physical sensation and a complex emotional state. It captures the 'itch' of wanting to move forward when you are held back.

Visual Imagery: Think of a needle skipping on a record or a slow-loading progress bar at 99%.

隣の人の貧乏ゆすりがいらいらする。
(The person next to me shaking their leg is making me irritated.)

It is important to note that 'iraira' is often paired with the verb 'suru' (to do) to form 'iraira suru' (to be irritated). It can also function as an adverb, describing how someone is acting. For example, 'iraira to matsu' (to wait irritably). This flexibility makes it one of the most frequently used emotional descriptors in daily Japanese conversation, appearing in everything from casual chats to formal complaints about service delays.

Psychological Depth: It often implies a lack of control over the situation, leading to a build-up of stress.

注文した料理が遅くて、彼はいらいらしている。
(The food he ordered is late, and he is getting frustrated.)

パソコンが動かなくていらいらが募る。
(My frustration grows because the computer isn't working.)

彼の話し方は人をいらいらさせる。
(The way he talks irritates people.)

Using いらいら correctly involves understanding its grammatical versatility. Most commonly, it functions as a suru-verb. When you say 'Iraira suru', you are describing your current state of mind. It is a subjective experience. However, if you want to describe someone else's state, you might use 'Iraira shite iru' (is being irritated) or 'Iraira shite mieta' (looked irritated). This distinction is crucial in Japanese politeness and perspective.

Grammar Pattern 1: [Noun] + に + いらいらする (To be irritated by [Noun])

騒音にいらいらする。
(I am irritated by the noise.)

As an adverb, 'iraira' can modify verbs to show the manner in which an action is performed. If someone is tapping their pen impatiently, you could say they are 'iraira to pen o tataite iru'. This adds a layer of descriptive detail to the action, painting a picture of the person's internal state through their external movements. It is also frequently used with the particle 'ga' to describe the feeling itself: 'Iraira ga tomaranai' (The irritation won't stop).

Grammar Pattern 2: [Person] を + いらいらさせる (To make [Person] irritated)

彼女をいらいらさせてしまった。
(I accidentally made her irritated.)

In causative forms like 'iraira saseru', the word takes on an active role. You are the source of the frustration. This is common in interpersonal conflicts. Another advanced usage is the noun form 'iraira-kan' (a feeling of irritation), which is used in more formal or medical contexts to describe a general symptom of stress or anxiety. For example, 'Iraira-kan o shizumeru' (to calm the feeling of irritation).

Adverbial Use: いらいら（と）歩き回る (To pace around irritably)

返事を待って、いらいらしながら時計を見た。
(While waiting for a reply, I looked at the clock irritably.)

そんなにいらいらしないでください。
(Please don't be so irritated.)

試験の前は誰でもいらいらするものだ。
(Everyone gets frustrated before an exam.)

You will encounter いらいら in almost every corner of Japanese life, particularly in urban settings where the pace is fast and friction is inevitable. On the train, you might hear someone muttering about a delay. In the office, it’s a common way to describe the atmosphere during a high-pressure project. It’s also a staple of Japanese media, from reality TV shows where contestants get on each other's nerves to anime where a character's forehead might display a 'vein' symbol to represent 'iraira'.

Daily Life: Waiting for slow elevators or dealing with bad Wi-Fi.

「あー、もう！このネット、遅くていらいらする！」
("Ah, geez! This internet is so slow, it's irritating!")

In service industries, staff are trained to recognize signs of 'iraira' in customers to prevent complaints. If a customer is tapping their fingers or looking at their watch repeatedly, the staff might say, 'O-kyaku-sama ga iraira shite iru node, hayaku taio shite' (The customer is getting irritated, so respond quickly). It is a key word for emotional intelligence in Japan. Understanding when someone is 'iraira' allows you to adjust your behavior to avoid further conflict.

Media & Pop Culture: Commonly used in 'slice of life' anime to show relatable stress.

「そんなにいらいらしないで、お茶でも飲もうよ。」
("Don't be so frustrated, let's have some tea.")

You will also hear it in health-related discussions. Magazines often have articles titled 'Iraira o kaisho suru 10 no hoho' (10 ways to relieve irritation). This highlights its role as a symptom of the modern, high-stress lifestyle in Japan. It’s not just an emotion; it’s a condition that people actively try to manage through mindfulness, hobbies, or diet. Hearing 'iraira' often signals a need for a break or a change in environment.

Workplace: Used to describe the tension during meetings or when deadlines are missed.

上司がいらいらしているから、今は話しかけないほうがいい。
(The boss is irritated, so it's better not to talk to him now.)

渋滞でいらいらが頂点に達した。
(My frustration reached its peak in the traffic jam.)

彼はいつも何かにいらいらしている。
(He is always irritated about something.)

One of the most common mistakes learners make is confusing いらいら with other words for anger, such as okoru (to get angry) or atama ni kuru (to get mad). While 'iraira' is a form of anger, it is specifically the impatient and unsettled kind. If you are screaming at someone, 'iraira' is no longer the right word; you are 'okotte iru'. 'Iraira' is the stage where you are still trying to contain it, or where the cause is an object or situation rather than a person's intentional insult.

Mistake 1: Using it for deep, burning rage or hatred.

❌ 彼は裏切られていらいらしている。
(He is 'iraira' because he was betrayed. - Too weak! Use 'ikidōru' or 'gekirin'.)

Another mistake is the grammatical placement. Since it is a mimetic word, it can be used without 'suru' in some contexts, but for beginners, it's safest to use 'iraira suru'. Also, don't confuse it with moyamoya, which refers to a foggy, unclear feeling of dissatisfaction or worry. 'Iraira' is sharp and prickly, while 'moyamoya' is cloudy and vague. If you can't pinpoint why you're upset, it's 'moyamoya'. If you know exactly what's bothering you (like a slow computer), it's 'iraira'.

Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Pampan' (bursting/full) or 'Karakara' (dry).

❌ お腹がいらいらする。
(My stomach is irritated. - Incorrect for physical fullness or hunger.)

Lastly, be careful with the intensity. Using 'iraira' too often can make you sound like a person who lacks patience. In Japanese culture, maintaining a calm exterior (heijishin) is valued. Constantly saying 'iraira suru' might give the impression that you are easily rattled by small things. Use it to describe a state, but be mindful of the social implications of admitting to it too frequently in professional settings.

Mistake 3: Using it to describe physical skin irritation (usually 'hiri-hiri' or 'kayui').

❌ 日焼けで肌がいらいらする。
(My skin is 'iraira' from sunburn. - Incorrect. Use 'hirihiri'.)

❌ 彼は怒っていらいらと叫んだ。
(He shouted 'iraira-ly'. - Usually 'ikidōte' or 'donatte' is better for shouting.)

❌ この靴はいらいらする。
(These shoes are irritating. - If they hurt, use 'itai'. If they are annoying to put on, 'mendokusai'.)

To truly master いらいら, you must understand its neighbors in the emotional landscape of Japanese. Japanese is rich in onomatopoeia for feelings, and choosing the right one can change the entire meaning of your sentence. Let's compare 'iraira' with its closest relatives: moyamoya, zukizuki, mukatsuku, and karakara.

Iraira vs. Moyamoya: 'Iraira' is sharp and focused (impatience). 'Moyamoya' is foggy and vague (unresolved worry).

テストの結果が気になってもやもやする。
(I feel 'moyamoya' (hazy/worried) about the test results.)

Then there is mukatsuku. While 'iraira' is about impatience, 'mukatsuku' is about feeling offended or disgusted by someone's behavior. It often carries a sense of 'I want to punch them' or 'That's gross/annoying'. 'Iraira' is more about the situation being slow or frustrating, whereas 'mukatsuku' is more personal. Another one is pampan, which describes being 'stuffed' or 'bursting', sometimes used for being 'stressed to the limit', but 'iraira' is the specific feeling of the needles of that stress.

Iraira vs. Gami-gami: 'Iraira' is the feeling. 'Gami-gami' is the sound of nagging or scolding angrily.

母ががみがみ言うので、いらいらする。
(Because my mom nags ('gamigami'), I feel irritated ('iraira').)

Lastly, consider karakara (dry/laughing) or kurukuru (spinning). These are phonetically similar but entirely different. Beginners often mix up these repetitive sounds. Remember that the 'i' in 'iraira' is like the 'i' in 'irritated'. This mnemonic can help you distinguish it from 'urau-ura' or 'arara'. Mastery of these nuances allows you to express your emotions with the precision that Japanese speakers expect.

Summary Table: Iraira: Impatience. Mukatsuku: Offended. Moyamoya: Hazy. Gamigami: Nagging.

彼はむかつく態度をとる。
(He has an annoying/offensive attitude.)

仕事が山積みでいらいらが止まらない。
(Work is piling up and the irritation won't stop.)

あの音、本当にいらいらするね。
(That sound is really irritating, isn't it?)

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

バスが来なくて、いらいらします。

The bus isn't coming, so I'm irritated.

Simple 'suru' verb usage.

いらいらしないでください。

Please don't be irritated.

Negative imperative form.

お腹が空いて、いらいらする。

I'm hungry and getting frustrated.

Reason + te-form + iraira.

彼はいつもいらいらしています。

He is always irritated.

State of being (~te iru).

いらいらするのは良くないです。

Being irritated is not good.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no'.

宿題が多くて、いらいらした。

There was so much homework, I got frustrated.

Past tense.

ちょっといらいらしています。

I'm a little irritated.

Adverb 'chotto' for softening.

いらいら、いらいら。

Irritated, irritated. (Mumbling)

Repetition for emphasis.

パソコンが遅いと、いらいらしますね。

It's irritating when the computer is slow, isn't it?

Conditional 'to' for general truths.

隣の音がうるさくて、いらいらしている。

The noise next door is making me irritated.

Continuous state.

いらいらした時は、深呼吸をしましょう。

When you're irritated, let's take a deep breath.

Time clause (~toki).

彼女はいらいらしながら、部屋を出た。

She left the room while being irritated.

Simultaneous action (~nagara).

そんなにいらいらしないで、落ち着いて。

Don't be so frustrated, calm down.

Negative request + imperative.

待ち合わせに遅れると、いらいらさせる。

Being late for a meeting makes people irritated.

Causative 'saseru'.

いらいらする気持ちを抑える。

Suppress the feeling of being irritated.

Modifying a noun.

彼は何に対していらいらしているの？

What is he irritated about?

Question form with 'nani ni taishite'.

仕事が予定通りに進まず、いらいらが募る。

Work isn't progressing as planned, and frustration is building up.

Verb 'tsunoru' (to grow/intensify).

いらいらを解消するために、ジムに行く。

I go to the gym to relieve my frustration.

Purpose clause (~tame ni).

彼の無責任な態度にいらいらさせられた。

I was made irritated by his irresponsible attitude.

Passive causative.

いらいらしている時は、甘いものが食べたくなる。

When I'm irritated, I feel like eating sweets.

Desire form (~tai).

最近、いらいらすることが多くなった。

Recently, I've started getting irritated more often.

Change of state (~naru).

いらいらを顔に出さないようにしている。

I try not to show my irritation on my face.

Effort/intention (~yō ni suru).

そんなにいらいらしても、何も解決しないよ。

Even if you get that frustrated, it won't solve anything.

Concessive 'temo'.

いらいらした口調で返事をする。

To reply in an irritated tone.

Modifying 'kuchō' (tone).

現代社会では、誰もがいらいらを抱えている。

In modern society, everyone carries some form of irritation.

Abstract noun usage.

渋滞に巻き込まれ、いらいらが頂点に達した。

Caught in traffic, my frustration reached its peak.

Idiomatic 'chōten ni tassuru'.

いらいら感は、ストレスのサインかもしれない。

A feeling of irritation might be a sign of stress.

Noun 'iraira-kan'.

彼女のいらいらした様子が、周囲にも伝わった。

Her irritated state spread to those around her.

Noun 'yōsu' (appearance/state).

いらいらをぶつける相手を間違えてはいけない。

You shouldn't take out your frustration on the wrong person.

Verb 'butsukeru' (to throw/vent).

不公平な扱いに、内心いらいらしていた。

I was inwardly irritated by the unfair treatment.

Adverb 'naishin' (inwardly).

いらいらを抑えるのは、容易なことではない。

Suppressing irritation is no easy task.

Nominalized phrase as subject.

彼の話し方には、人をいらいらさせる何かがある。

There is something about the way he talks that irritates people.

Indefinite 'nanika' (something).

官僚的な手続きの遅さに、いらいらが募るばかりだ。

The slowness of bureaucratic procedures only adds to the growing frustration.

Grammar '~bakari da'.

その小説は、読者をいらいらさせる展開が続く。

That novel continues with developments that frustrate the reader.

Relative clause modifying 'tenkai'.

いらいらという感情を、どう論理的に説明するか。

How do we logically explain the emotion called 'iraira'?

Apposition 'to iu'.

都市の喧騒が、彼の中に微かないらいらを呼び起こした。

The city's hustle and bustle awakened a faint irritation within him.

Literary 'yobiokosu'.

いらいらをエネルギーに変えることができれば、成功するだろう。

If you can turn irritation into energy, you will likely succeed.

Conditional 'ba'.

政治の停滞に対し、国民のいらいらは限界にきている。

The public's frustration with political stagnation is reaching its limit.

Noun phrase 'kokumin no iraira'.

彼は、いらいらを隠すために、わざと明るく振る舞った。

He acted brightly on purpose to hide his irritation.

Purpose 'tame ni' + 'wazato'.

いらいらと焦燥感が入り混じった、複雑な心境だ。

It's a complex state of mind, a mix of irritation and impatience.

Noun 'shōshōkan' (impatience).

文明の利器が、皮肉にも人間に新たないらいらをもたらした。

Ironically, the tools of civilization have brought new frustrations to mankind.

Advanced vocabulary 'bunmei no riki'.

いらいらの根源を探ることは、自己理解への第一歩である。

Exploring the root of irritation is the first step toward self-understanding.

Formal 'de aru' style.

静寂を破る羽音に、彼は耐え難いいらいらを覚えた。

He felt an unbearable irritation at the sound of wings breaking the silence.

Literary 'oboe' (to feel).

社会の不条理に対するいらいらが、彼の創作の原動力だ。

Frustration with the absurdities of society is the driving force of his creation.

Noun 'fujōri' (absurdity).

いらいらという言葉の響き自体が、その感情を体現している。

The very sound of the word 'iraira' embodies the emotion itself.

Reflexive 'jitai'.

彼は、いらいらを昇華させて、見事な音楽を作り上げた。

He sublimated his irritation and created magnificent music.

Verb 'shōka' (sublimation).

絶え間ない通知音に、現代人のいらいらは増幅され続けている。

With constant notification sounds, the irritation of modern people continues to be amplified.

Passive continuous 'sare tsuzukete iru'.

いらいらの果てに、彼はある種の悟りを開いた。

At the end of his frustration, he reached a kind of enlightenment.

Idiomatic 'satori o hiraku'.

Collocations courantes

iraira ga tsunoru

iraira o osaeru

iraira o butsukeru

iraira o kaishō suru

iraira saseru

iraira shiyasui

iraira-kan

iraira to matsu

naishin iraira suru

hageshiku iraira suru

Phrases Courantes

mō, iraira suru!

iraira shinaide

iraira no tane

iraira ga peak ni tassuru

iraira o butsukeru

iraira shite iru yōsu

iraira o tameru

iraira o hakidasu

iraira no gen'in

iraira o shizumeru

Souvent confondu avec

いらいら vs Moyamoya (Hazy/Worried)

いらいら vs Mukatsuku (Offended/Disgusted)

いらいら vs Okoru (Angry/Scolding)

Expressions idiomatiques

Facile à confondre

いらいら vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

nuance

More about internal tension than external explosion.

social

Admitting 'iraira' is common, but doing it constantly is seen as immature.

Erreurs courantes

Using it for physical skin irritation.
Confusing it with 'moyamoya' (vague worry).
Using it to describe a superior's mood directly to them.
Using it for extreme, violent rage.
Writing it in kanji in casual messages.

Astuces

Suru-Verb Power

Always remember that 'iraira' + 'suru' is the most flexible way to use this word in any situation.

The Gaman Balance

Japanese people often feel 'iraira' but value 'gaman' (endurance). Use the word to empathize with others' stress.

Mimetic Roots

Connect 'iraira' to 'ira' (thorn) to remember its 'prickly' nature.

Tone Matters

Saying 'iraira' with a flat tone sounds like a description; saying it with a sharp tone sounds like a complaint.

Catch the 'I'

In fast speech, 'iraira' can sound like 'ira-ira'. Listen for the double 'ira'.

Hiragana is King

Avoid the kanji 苛々 unless you are reading very old literature or formal psychological reports.

Empathy Tool

Saying 'Iraira shimasu ne' (It's irritating, isn't it?) is a great way to bond over shared frustrations like train delays.

Iraira vs Mukatsuku

Use 'iraira' for situations/objects and 'mukatsuku' for people's rude behavior.

Stress Management

In Japan, 'iraira' is often linked to 'liver health' in traditional medicine. It's a holistic term.

Flashcard Tip

Draw a picture of a slow-loading computer on your 'iraira' flashcard.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Derived from 'ira' (thorn/prickle).

Contexte culturel

Expressing 'iraira' at work is often done through subtle signs like heavy sighing.

Historically, some media used 'iraira' to describe 'hysteria', but today it is gender-neutral.

Train delays are the most common trigger for collective 'iraira' in Japan.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"Saikin, nani ni iraira shimashita ka? (What have you been irritated by lately?)"

"Iraira shita toki, dō yatte rirakkusu shimasu ka? (When you're irritated, how do you relax?)"

"Kono densha no okure, iraira shimasu ne? (This train delay is irritating, isn't it?)"

"Iraira o抑える kotsu wa nan desu ka? (What's the trick to suppressing irritation?)"

"Nani ga ichiban hito o iraira saseru to omoimasu ka? (What do you think irritates people the most?)"

Sujets d'écriture

Kyō, iraira shita koto o kaite kudasai. (Write about something that irritated you today.)

Iraira shinai tame ni dekiru koto wa? (What can you do to avoid getting irritated?)

Iraira to 'ikari' no chigai wa nan desu ka? (What is the difference between irritation and anger?)

Anata no 'iraira no tane' wa nan desu ka? (What is your 'source of irritation'?)

Iraira o energy ni kaeru hōhō. (Ways to turn irritation into energy.)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, 'iraira' is for mental irritation. For physical prickling, use 'chikuchiku' or 'hirihiri'.

It is a neutral word, but describing your own irritation to a superior should be done carefully. Use 'komatte iru' (I'm troubled) instead.

'Punpun' is a cute, almost cartoonish way to describe being 'in a huff'. 'Iraira' is more realistic and stressful.

Yes, 'Ano hito ni wa iraira suru' means 'That person irritates me'.

'Sonna ni iraira shinaide' is the most common way.

Yes, to describe project delays or customer dissatisfaction, but usually in private or internal meetings.

It's a classic Japanese game (electric wire maze) where you have to be patient and not touch the sides.

Yes, 'iraira' can act as a noun, as in 'iraira no gen'in' (the cause of irritation).

There is (苛々), but it is rarely used. Stick to hiragana.

Not necessarily. It can just mean extreme impatience or being 'fidgety'.