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うんざりする

B1 verb #5,000 most common 7 min read

うんざりする

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips うんざりする in 30 Seconds

Explanation うんざりする in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'unzari suru' often, but you might hear it. Think of it as a very strong 'No' or 'I don't like this anymore.' It is used when something is too much. For example, if it rains every day, you can say 'Ame, unzari.' (Rain, I'm fed up). It's a way to show you are not happy with a situation that keeps happening.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'unzari suru' with the particle 'ni'. Use it to talk about simple things that make you tired, like 'Shukudai ni unzari suru' (I'm fed up with homework). It helps you express more complex feelings than just 'kirai' (dislike). It shows that you are tired because something is happening again and again.

At the B1 level, you should use 'unzari suru' to describe social situations and personal frustrations. You can use the form 'unzari shite iru' to describe a continuous state of being fed up. For example, 'Kare no nagai hanashi ni wa unzari shite iru' (I'm fed up with his long stories). This level requires understanding that the word implies a cumulative effect of annoyance.

At the B2 level, you can use 'unzari suru' more naturally in conversations to express nuances of disgust or weariness. You should be able to distinguish it from 'akiru' (getting bored of a hobby) and 'hekieki suru' (a more formal version). You can also use the causative form 'unzari saseru' (to make someone else fed up) to describe social dynamics accurately.

At the C1 level, you should understand the literary and rhetorical uses of 'unzari suru.' It often appears in modern literature to describe existential dread or the monotony of modern life. You can use it to critique social systems or repetitive cultural tropes. You should also be comfortable with its adverbial and noun-like usages in various registers.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'unzari suru' and its synonyms. You can use it with perfect timing to convey deep cynicism, dark humor, or profound exhaustion. You understand its etymological roots and can appreciate how it functions in classic Japanese cinema and high-level editorial writing to evoke a specific atmosphere of 'ennui' or social fatigue.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

うんざりする in 30 Seconds

Used to express being 'fed up' or 'sick of' something repetitive.
Commonly paired with the particle 'ni' to indicate the source of annoyance.
More intense than 'akiru' (bored); it implies disgust or weariness.
Very common in daily life for venting about work, weather, or habits.

The Japanese verb うんざりする (unzari suru) is a powerful expression used to describe a state of being completely fed up, disgusted, or exhausted by something repetitive, excessive, or unpleasant. It goes beyond simple boredom; it captures the psychological weight of having reached one's limit. Imagine a glass that is already full, and then more water is poured in—that feeling of 'I can't take any more' is the essence of unzari.

Core Nuance: The term implies a sense of fatigue that stems from repetition. Whether it is a long commute, a partner's constant complaining, or endless rainy days, the repetitive nature of the annoyance is what triggers the unzari feeling.
Emotional Weight: While 'fed up' is the closest English equivalent, unzari often carries a stronger physical sense of revulsion or 'weariness' (disgust). It is the feeling of wanting to turn your head away from something because you have seen or heard it too many times.

毎日の残業には、もううんざりしている。
(Mainichi no zangyō ni wa, mō unzari shite iru.)
I am already fed up with the daily overtime work.

In Japanese society, where endurance (gaman) is often valued, admitting that you are unzari is a strong statement of personal dissatisfaction. It is frequently used in informal settings among friends or in internal monologues to vent frustration about systemic issues or personal habits that are difficult to change.

彼の自慢話にはうんざりだ。
(Kare no jimanbanashi ni wa unzari da.)
I'm sick of his bragging.

Visual Imagery: Think of the word as the sound of a heavy sigh. The 'un' (うん) sound mimics the start of a deep breath out, and the 'zari' (ざり) feels like something grating or rough. It perfectly mimics the physical sensation of being worn down by friction.

Whether you are a student tired of exams or an employee tired of meetings, this word provides a cathartic way to express that specific type of exhaustion that comes from 'too much' of something unpleasant.

Grammatically, うんざりする functions as a Suru-verb. It is most commonly paired with the particle に (ni) to indicate the source of the frustration. The structure is: [Noun] + に + うんざりする.

The 'Ni' Particle: The particle 'ni' targets the specific thing that is causing the disgust. For example, 'Ame ni unzari suru' (Fed up with the rain). If you want to emphasize the source, you can use 'ni wa'.

都会の騒音にうんざりしている。
(Tokai no sōon ni unzari shite iru.)
I am fed up with the noise of the city.

You can also use verbs in their te-form followed by unzari suru to describe being fed up with an action. For example, 'Kikasararete unzari suru' (I am fed up with being made to listen).

State vs. Action: Using unzari shite iru (continuous form) suggests a long-term state of being fed up, whereas unzari shita (past tense) might refer to a specific moment when you reached your limit.

また同じ間違い？もううんざりだよ。
(Mata onaji machigai? Mō unzari dayo.)
The same mistake again? I'm sick of this.

When describing someone else's state, you often use unzari shite iru yōda (seems fed up) or unzari saseta (made them fed up - causative). Using the causative form is a common way to express that you have annoyed someone else.

Adverbial Use: Sometimes unzari is used as an adverb to describe how an action is performed out of boredom or disgust, though this is less common than the verb form.

You will encounter うんざりする in a wide variety of contexts, from mundane daily life to dramatic media. It is a staple of 'complaint culture' in Japan.

1. The Workplace (Izakaya Talk): After work, at an izakaya, you will hear coworkers venting. 'The boss's long speeches? Unzari da.' 'The paperwork? Unzari suru.' It is the ultimate word for professional burnout or frustration with bureaucracy.

会議が長すぎて、みんなうんざりした顔をしていた。
(Kaigi ga nagasugite, minna unzari shita kao o shite ita.)
The meeting was so long that everyone had a fed-up look on their faces.

2. Relationships and Family: It is often used when a family member or partner repeats the same annoying habit. 'I'm fed up with you forgetting to take out the trash!' is a classic scenario for unzari.

In fiction, particularly in Anime and Manga, a protagonist who is cynical or world-weary will often use this word. Characters like Hachiman Hikigaya (Oregairu) or Gintoki Sakata (Gintama) frequently express their unzari feelings toward the 'troublesome' world or other people's drama.

このニュース、もううんざり。他のはないの？
(Kono nyūsu, mō unzari. Hoka no wa nai no?)
I'm sick of this news. Isn't there anything else?

3. Weather and Nature: During the humid Japanese summer (tsuyu) or a long heatwave, people constantly say they are unzari with the heat. It captures the physical exhaustion of the climate.

While うんざりする is versatile, learners often confuse it with other words for 'bored' or 'tired.' Understanding the boundaries of this word is key to sounding natural.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 'Akiru' (飽きる): Akiru means to lose interest or get tired of something you used to enjoy (like a hobby or food). Unzari suru is much more negative; it implies the thing was likely unpleasant or burdensome from the start, or has become intolerable. You 'akiru' a video game, but you 'unzari suru' with taxes.

❌ このゲームにうんざりした。
✅ このゲームに飽きた。
(Use 'akiru' for losing interest in entertainment.)

Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Tsukareru' (疲れる): Tsukareru is physical or mental fatigue. While unzari suru involves fatigue, it is specifically 'fed up fatigue.' If you are physically tired from running, use tsukareta. If you are tired of the concept of running every day, use unzari.

Mistake 3: Over-using it in Formal Settings: Because it expresses a strong subjective feeling of disgust, using it in a business report or a formal apology can come across as overly emotional or rude. In formal contexts, use komatte orimasu (I am troubled) or shishō ga detekimasu (it is causing problems).

Japanese has many words to express dissatisfaction. Choosing the right one depends on the intensity and the cause of the feeling.

1. 辟易する (Hekieki suru): This is a more formal and literary version of unzari suru. It often describes being overwhelmed or taken aback by someone's excessive behavior. Use this in writing or formal speeches.
2. 嫌気が差す (Iyake ga sasu): This means to become disillusioned or to lose heart. It is often used for jobs or relationships where you once had hope but now feel only a cold sense of 'done-ness.'

仕事に嫌気が差して、辞めることにした。
(Shigoto ni iyake ga sashite, yameru koto ni shita.)
I got sick of my job and decided to quit.

3. 飽き飽きする (Akiaki suru): This is very similar to unzari suru but focuses more on the 'boredom' aspect of repetition. It’s like saying 'I'm tired of hearing the same thing over and over.'
4. 懲り懲り (Korigori): This is used when you have had a bad experience and never want to do it again. 'Once was enough!' It’s less about ongoing annoyance and more about a final decision based on a past failure.

Comparing these: Unzari is the 'feeling' of being fed up, Iyake is the 'loss of motivation,' and Korigori is the 'vow to never repeat it.'

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The 'un' part might be related to 'umu' (to grow weary/tired), while the 'zari' suffix adds a sense of roughness or friction, mimicking the feeling of an irritated mind.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ʊnzari sɯᵝɾɯᵝ

US ʊnzɑri suːruː

The pitch usually starts low on 'u', rises on 'n-za', and then stays level or drops slightly on 'ri suru'.

Rhymes With

ふんわり (funwari) のんびり (nonbiri) がっかり (gakkari) しっかり (shikkari) やっぱり (yappari) さっぱり (sappari) たっぷり (tappuri) ぴったり (pittari)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'n' as a full English 'en' syllable.
Using an American 'r' (retroflex) instead of the Japanese flap.
Elongating the 'u' sounds too much.
Misplacing the pitch accent on 'za'.
Confusing 'unzari' with 'uzai' (slang for annoying).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Written in Hiragana usually, so very easy to read.

Writing 2/5

Simple Suru-verb structure.

Speaking 3/5

Requires correct pitch and understanding of when it's too rude to use.

Listening 2/5

Very distinct sound, easy to catch in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

飽きる (akiru) 嫌い (kirai) 疲れる (tsukareru) する (suru) もう (mō)

Learn Next

辟易する (hekieki suru) 嫌気が差す (iyake ga sasu) げんなりする (gennari suru) 呆れる (akireru) 堪忍袋の緒が切れる (kanninbukuro no o ga kireru)

Advanced

倦怠感 (kentaikan) 食傷気味 (shokushō gimi) 形骸化 (keigaika) 既視感 (kishikan)

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs

勉強する、うんざりする

Particle 'Ni' for cause

雨に濡れる、雨にうんざりする

Te-form for cause

遅れてすみません、待たされてうんざりした

Continuous 'te-iru'

食べている、うんざりしている

Nominalization with 'no'

待つのにうんざりする

Examples by Level

雨にうんざりする。

I am fed up with the rain.

Simple Noun + ni + unzari suru.

もう、うんざり！

I'm fed up!

Casual exclamation.

宿題にうんざりだ。

I'm sick of homework.

Noun + ni + unzari da (casual).

待つのはうんざり。

I'm tired of waiting.

Verb nominalized with 'no' + unzari.

また納豆？うんざり。

Natto again? I'm fed up.

Shortened casual reaction.

暑さにうんざりする。

I'm fed up with the heat.

Noun (heat) + ni + unzari suru.

渋滞にうんざりだ。

I'm sick of traffic jams.

Noun + ni + unzari da.

仕事にうんざりする。

I'm fed up with work.

Basic verb usage.

毎日の同じ食事にうんざりする。

I'm fed up with having the same meal every day.

Focus on repetition.

彼の長い話にうんざりした。

I was fed up with his long story.

Past tense 'shita'.

冬の寒さにはうんざりだ。

I'm sick of the winter cold.

Using 'ni wa' for emphasis.

また負けて、うんざりした。

I lost again and got fed up.

Te-form to show cause.

掃除ばかりでうんざりする。

I'm fed up with doing nothing but cleaning.

Bakari (nothing but) + unzari.

この歌、もううんざりだよ。

I'm already sick of this song.

Casual 'dayo' ending.

行列に並ぶのはうんざりだ。

I'm fed up with standing in lines.

Verb phrase nominalized.

親の小言にうんざりしている。

I'm fed up with my parents' nagging.

Continuous 'shite iru'.

都会の喧騒には、ほとほとうんざりしている。

I am utterly fed up with the hustle and bustle of the city.

Adding 'hotohoto' for emphasis.

彼の言い訳を聞くのはもううんざりだ。

I'm sick of listening to his excuses.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

毎朝の満員電車にうんざりしている。

I'm fed up with the packed trains every morning.

Describing a routine frustration.

政治家の汚職ニュースにはうんざりする。

I'm fed up with news about politician corruption.

Abstract noun + ni + unzari suru.

同じ間違いを繰り返されて、うんざりした。

I got fed up because the same mistake was repeated.

Passive form + te-form cause.

彼女のわがままには本当にうんざりだ。

I'm really sick of her selfishness.

Adverb 'hontō ni' for intensity.

変わり映えのしない毎日にうんざりする。

I'm fed up with the everyday life that never changes.

Relative clause modifying 'mainichi'.

そんな話はもう聞き飽きたし、うんざりだ。

I'm tired of hearing that story and I'm fed up.

Combining 'akiaki' and 'unzari'.

上司の無茶な要求には、部下全員がうんざりしている。

All the subordinates are fed up with the boss's unreasonable demands.

Subject is a group; 'shite iru' for shared state.

テレビをつければ不景気な話ばかりで、いい加減うんざりする。

Whenever I turn on the TV, it's nothing but talk of recession, and I'm quite fed up.

Conditional 'ba' + 'ii kagen' (quite/enough).

彼の態度が私をうんざりさせた。

His attitude made me fed up.

Causative 'saseta'.

ネット上の誹謗中傷には、多くの人がうんざりしているはずだ。

Many people must be fed up with online slander.

Using 'hazu da' (must be).

あまりの忙しさに、自分自身にうんざりしてしまった。

I ended up being fed up with myself because of the extreme busyness.

Self-reflection; 'shite shimatta' (regret).

延々と続く会議の資料作りにうんざりする。

I'm fed up with making materials for meetings that go on forever.

Complex action nominalization.

彼の自慢話を聞かされる身にもなってほしい。本当にうんざりだ。

I wish he'd put himself in the shoes of someone forced to hear his bragging. I'm really sick of it.

Imperative-like desire + unzari.

このプロジェクトの不手際には、クライアントもうんざりしているようだ。

The client also seems to be fed up with the clumsiness of this project.

Using 'yōda' (seems).

現代社会の消費主義的な構造に、彼は深い感銘を受けるどころか、むしろうんざりしていた。

Far from being impressed by the consumerist structure of modern society, he was rather fed up with it.

Contrastive 'dokoroka... mushiro'.

形式美ばかりを追求する伝統芸能の現状に、若手芸人たちはうんざりし始めている。

Young performers are starting to get fed up with the current state of traditional arts that only pursue formal beauty.

Inceptive 'shi-hajimeru'.

繰り返される不毛な議論に、出席者の多くが辟易し、うんざりした表情を隠さなかった。

Many attendees did not hide their fed-up expressions, being weary of the repeated sterile discussions.

Using 'hekieki' and 'unzari' together for literary effect.

SNSの承認欲求のぶつかり合いに、彼女は精神的にうんざりして、アカウントを消した。

She became mentally fed up with the clash of desires for validation on social media and deleted her account.

Describing psychological state.

何層にも重なる官僚的な手続きには、どんなに辛抱強い人間でもうんざりせざるを得ない。

No matter how patient a person is, they cannot help but be fed up with the layers of bureaucratic procedures.

'Sezaru o enai' (cannot help but).

予定調和な結末の映画には、目の肥えた観客はうんざりするものだ。

Discerning audiences tend to be fed up with movies that have predictable, pre-established harmony endings.

Generic 'mono da' (tendency/nature).

彼の言葉の端々に漂う優越感に、私は言いようのないうんざりした気分になった。

I felt an indescribable sense of being fed up with the superiority complex drifting in his every word.

Noun modification 'unzari shita kibun'.

日常の些細な不満が積み重なり、ついには人生そのものにうんざりしてしまうこともある。

Small daily dissatisfactions can pile up, and eventually, one might even get fed up with life itself.

Describing cumulative effect.

言語に絶するほどの惨状を前にして、彼は怒りを通り越し、ただただ人間にうんざりした。

Faced with a disaster beyond words, he moved past anger and was simply fed up with humanity.

Expressing profound existential disgust.

形骸化した儀礼の反復に、彼は実存的なうんざりを覚えていた。

He felt an existential weariness at the repetition of hollowed-out rituals.

Using 'unzari' as a noun-like object of 'oboeru'.

記号化された感情の応酬に終始する現代のコミュニケーションに、彼はほとほと嫌気が差し、うんざりしているのだ。

He is utterly sick and fed up with modern communication, which consists entirely of the exchange of symbolic emotions.

Highest level of descriptive complexity.

いかに高邁な理想を掲げようとも、実行が伴わなければ、大衆はやがてうんざりして離れていく。

No matter how noble the ideals one proclaims, if action does not follow, the masses will eventually get fed up and leave.

Concessive 'ikani... yō tomo'.

既視感の強いプロットの乱立に、文芸批評家たちはうんざりした筆致で酷評を下した。

Literary critics gave harsh reviews with a fed-up tone to the flood of plots with strong déjà vu.

Describing the 'tone' of writing.

自己愛の肥大化した言説が飛び交う言論空間に、私はただただうんざりさせられるばかりだ。

I am merely made fed up by the discourse space where narcissistic rhetoric flies back and forth.

Passive causative 'saserareru'.

政治的な駆け引きの醜悪さに、かつての志士もうんざりして隠遁生活に入った。

The former patriot, fed up with the ugliness of political maneuvering, entered a life of seclusion.

Historical/Narrative context.

飽食の時代にあって、人々は皮肉にも、その豊かさそのものにうんざりし始めているのかもしれない。

In an era of gluttony, people may ironically be starting to get fed up with the very abundance itself.

Philosophical irony.

Common Collocations

雨にうんざりする

渋滞にうんざりする

言い訳にうんざりする

自分にうんざりする

世の中にうんざりする

仕事にうんざりする

待たされてうんざりする

小言にうんざりする

ニュースにうんざりする

暑さにうんざりする

Common Phrases

もううんざりだ

— I've had enough. Expression of finality.

こんな生活、もううんざりだ！

ほとほとうんざりする

— To be utterly/completely fed up.

彼の嘘にはほとほとうんざりした。

うんざりした顔

— A fed-up or disgusted look.

彼はうんざりした顔でこちらを見た。

うんざりさせられる

— To be made to feel fed up by something.

満員電車には毎日うんざりさせられる。

いい加減うんざりだ

— To be quite fed up (implies it should stop).

同じミスを繰り返すのはいい加減うんざりだ。

顔を見るのもうんざり

— So fed up you don't even want to see them.

アイツの顔を見るのも、もううんざりだ。

聞くのもうんざり

— Fed up with hearing something.

自慢話はもう聞くのもうんざりだよ。

自分にうんざり

— Self-disgust or being fed up with one's own traits.

優柔不断な自分にうんざりする。

生活にうんざり

— Fed up with one's lifestyle or routine.

単調な生活にうんざりしている。

世間にうんざり

— Fed up with society or public opinion.

世間の目にうんざりして、田舎に引っ越した。

Often Confused With

うんざりする vs 飽きる

Akiru is losing interest in something you liked; Unzari is being sick of something unpleasant.

うんざりする vs 疲れる

Tsukareru is physical/mental fatigue; Unzari is the psychological state of being 'fed up'.

うんざりする vs 退屈する

Taikutsu suru is having nothing to do (boredom); Unzari is having too much of something annoying.

Idioms & Expressions

"鼻に付く"

— To be sick of someone's affectation or a smell.

彼の気取った話し方が鼻に付く。

Common

"耳にタコができる"

— To be fed up with hearing the same thing (lit: getting calluses on ears).

その話は耳にタコができるほどうんざりだ。

Informal

"二の舞を演じる"

— To repeat the same mistake (which causes unzari).

二の舞はもううんざりだ。

Neutral

"虫唾が走る"

— To be so disgusted it makes one's skin crawl.

彼の顔を見るだけで虫唾が走るほどうんざりだ。

Strong/Emotive

"嫌気が差す"

— To lose interest or become weary of a situation.

今の職場には嫌気が差している。

Neutral

"辟易する"

— To be bored/fed up by something excessive.

彼の長演説には辟易した。

Formal

"飽き飽きする"

— To be tired of something repetitive.

同じメニューに飽き飽きした。

Informal

"愛想が尽きる"

— To be completely disgusted with someone's behavior.

彼の不誠実さには愛想が尽きた。

Neutral

"へどが出る"

— To be so disgusted it makes one want to vomit.

彼の嘘にはへどが出るほどうんざりだ。

Vulgar/Strong

"お腹いっぱい"

— I'm full (used figuratively to mean 'I've had enough').

その話はもうお腹いっぱいだよ。

Informal

Easily Confused

うんざりする vs 飽き飽き

Both mean 'fed up'.

Akiaki is strictly about repetition and boredom. Unzari can include disgust and physical revulsion.

同じ話に飽き飽きする / 彼の態度にうんざりする

うんざりする vs げんなり

Both express negative fatigue.

Gennari is often about losing one's appetite or feeling 'deflated' by a shock. Unzari is more about ongoing irritation.

山盛りの料理にげんなりする / 毎日の残業にうんざりする

うんざりする vs 嫌気が差す

Both involve wanting to quit.

Iyake ga sasu is a more internal, psychological 'giving up' of hope. Unzari is the feeling of the annoyance itself.

今の生活に嫌気が差した。

うんざりする vs 辟易

They are synonyms.

Hekieki is formal/literary. Unzari is everyday speech.

彼の横暴な振る舞いに辟易した。

うんざりする vs 呆れる

Both are negative reactions to others.

Akireru is 'to be amazed in a bad way' (shocked by stupidity). Unzari is just being fed up.

彼のバカさには呆れる。

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] にうんざりする

雨にうんざりする。

もう [Noun] にはうんざりだ

もう彼の嘘にはうんざりだ。

[Verb-te] うんざりする

待たされてうんざりする。

[Noun] にうんざりさせられる

満員電車にはうんざりさせられる。

[Noun] にうんざりした顔をする

彼は仕事にうんざりした顔をした。

ほとほと [Noun] にうんざりしている

ほとほと自分にうんざりしている。

[Noun] にうんざりせざるを得ない

この状況にはうんざりせざるを得ない。

[Noun] に実存的なうんざりを覚える

社会の仕組みに実存的なうんざりを覚える。

Word Family

Nouns

うんざり The state of being fed up (used as a noun or adverbial noun).

Verbs

うんざりさせる To make someone fed up (causative).

うんざりし始める To start getting fed up.

飽きる (akiru)

嫌う (kirau)

疲れる (tsukareru)

辟易 (hekieki)

退屈 (taikutsu)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in daily spoken Japanese and informal writing.

Common Mistakes

Using 'o' particle. → Using 'ni' particle.
It's an intransitive state, so use 'ni' for the target.
Using it for simple boredom. → Using '退屈 (taikutsu)'.
Unzari requires an element of annoyance or excess.
Using it to a boss. → Using '困っております'.
It's too subjective and potentially rude in formal hierarchies.
Confusing with 'tired' (physical). → Using '疲れた'.
Unzari is mental/emotional 'fed up-ness'.
Writing it in Kanji. → Writing in Hiragana.
There is no standard kanji; hiragana is the natural way.

Tips

Casual Shortening

Just say 'Mō unzari!' when you want to express immediate frustration without a full sentence.

Causative Form

Use 'unzari saseru' to describe something that makes you or someone else fed up.

Unzari vs Akiru

Remember: Akiru is 'I'm bored of this hobby,' Unzari is 'I'm sick of this traffic.'

Emphasis

Add 'hotohoto' before 'unzari' to sound more expressive and literary.

Tone Matters

A flat tone makes it sound like a simple fact; a sighing tone makes it sound like a genuine complaint.

Word Family

Learn 'unzari-gao' (a fed-up face) to describe people's expressions.

Social Venting

It's a great word for 'Guchi' (complaining) sessions with Japanese friends.

Anime Cues

Listen for it when a character is dealing with a repetitive or annoying sidekick.

Context Clues

In books, it often appears with 'kurikaesu' (repeat) or 'tsuzuku' (continue).

Replacement

If you want to be more polite, use 'komatte iru' instead of 'unzari suru'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'UN-ZAR-I'. 'UN' like 'Un-happy'. 'ZAR' like 'Jar'. You are so unhappy that your emotional jar is full and overflowing. Un-Jar-I!

Visual Association

Imagine a person sitting in a room where it is raining inside. They are holding an umbrella and looking at their watch with a huge sigh. The word 'UNZARI' is written in the raindrops.

Word Web

Repetition Disgust Fatigue Rainy Season Overtime Nagging Traffic Burnout

Challenge

Try to use 'unzari' at least once today (even if just in your head) when you see a repetitive advertisement or a long line.

Word Origin

The word 'unzari' is believed to be an onomatopoeic expression (gitaigo) that emerged in the Edo period.

Original meaning: It originally described the feeling of being overstuffed after eating too much, or the sound of something overflowing.

Japanese native vocabulary (Yamato Kotoba).

Cultural Context

Be careful using it about people's kindness or gifts, as it can sound extremely ungrateful.

Similar to 'I'm sick and tired of this' or 'I've had it up to here.'

Used frequently in the lyrics of J-Rock songs about social frustration. A common line for cynical characters in 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'. Often used in newspaper editorials to describe public sentiment toward scandals.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Complaining about work

残業にうんざり
会議にうんざり
上司にうんざり
通勤にうんざり

Complaining about weather

雨にうんざり
暑さにうんざり
湿気にうんざり
雪かきにうんざり

Social interactions

自慢話にうんざり
言い訳にうんざり
愚痴にうんざり
嘘にうんざり

Technology/Media

広告にうんざり
通知にうんざり
ニュースにうんざり
SNSにうんざり

Personal habits

自分のミスにうんざり
ダイエットにうんざり
掃除にうんざり
料理にうんざり

Conversation Starters

"最近、何かにうんざりしたことある？ (Has anything made you fed up lately?)"

"毎日の通勤、うんざりしない？ (Don't you get sick of the daily commute?)"

"この雨、いつまで続くんだろう。もううんざりだね。 (I wonder how long this rain will last. We're fed up, aren't we?)"

"テレビのニュース、同じことばかりでうんざりしない？ (Don't you get fed up with the TV news always saying the same thing?)"

"仕事で一番うんざりすることは何？ (What is the thing you are most fed up with at work?)"

Journal Prompts

今日、一番うんざりした瞬間について書いてください。 (Write about the moment you felt most fed up today.)

もし「うんざりすること」が全てなくなったら、あなたの生活はどう変わりますか？ (How would your life change if everything you are fed up with disappeared?)

「うんざり」という感情とどう向き合っていますか？ (How do you deal with the feeling of being fed up?)

あなたが「飽きる」ことと「うんざりする」ことの違いは何ですか？ (What is the difference for you between being bored and being fed up?)

最近の世の中のニュースで、一番うんざりしていることは何ですか？ (What are you most fed up with in recent world news?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it means you are sick of it because you've eaten it too many times, not just that it tastes bad. Example: 'Mainichi karee de unzari' (I'm sick of curry every day).

It can be. Since it expresses disgust, saying it about a person's actions to their face is very confrontational. Use it carefully.

'Uzai' is slang for 'annoying' (short for urusai). 'Unzari' is 'fed up'. You are 'unzari' BECAUSE someone is 'uzai'.

No. It sounds too negative and emotional. Instead, use 'kadai o kanjite iru' (I feel there are challenges).

It is an adverbial noun that usually becomes a verb by adding 'suru'. You can also use it as 'unzari da'.

Often, yes. It implies you have reached a limit where you want the situation to stop.

'Mō unzari da' or 'akiaki shite iru' are the closest equivalents.

Almost never. It is inherently a word of dissatisfaction.

Usually 'ni' (the source) or 'wa' (for emphasis). Example: 'Kare ni unzari'.

No, it is almost exclusively written in hiragana.