How to Say "Grumpy" in Japanese

気難しい

kimuzukashii[kʲimɯ̟zɨka̠ɕiː]

The English word 'grumpy' is translated into Japanese as 気難しい (kimuzukashii).

気難しい is used to describe a person's personality or a long-term disposition, characterizing someone as being habitually difficult to please or grumpy.

Meaning: dissatisfied and irritable (adj)

How do you pronounce it?

kimuzukashii

The word 難しい (muzukashii) is frequently used in Japanese as a polite way to say 'no' or 'it is impossible', so calling someone 気難しい can subtly suggest they are a 'difficult' person to deal with in business.
The word 気難しい (kimuzukashii) literally breaks down to 'difficult' 難しい (muzukashii) and 'spirit' or 'energy' 気 (ki). It implies a person's very energy or essence is hard to navigate.
To avoid sounding too blunt, Japanese speakers often add ちょっと (chotto), meaning 'a little', before 気難しい. This softens the criticism of someone's character.

彼【かれ】は機嫌【きげん】が悪【わる】いので、注意【ちゅうい】してください。
Please be careful as he is in a grumpy mood.
上司【じょうし】は不機嫌【ふきげん】な様子【ようす】だから、接【せっ】し方【かた】に注意【ちゅうい】しましょう。
Let's be cautious about how we approach the supervisor since they seem to be grumpy.
彼【かれ】は不機嫌【ふきげん】な顔【かお】をしているから、何【なに】かあったのかもしれない。
He might have something bothering him because he has a grumpy face.
彼【かれ】はいつもむっつりしているから、気遣【きづか】いながら接【せっ】するようにしてください。
Since he is always grumpy, please be mindful when interacting with him.
彼はいつも気難しい性格です。
Kare wa itsumo kimuzukashii seikaku desu.
He has a grumpy personality.
気難しい店員に当たってしまった。
Kimuzukashii ten'in ni atatte shimatta.
I encountered a grumpy clerk.
あの人は少し気難しい人だ。
Ano hito wa sukoshi kimuzukashii hito da.
That person is a bit grumpy.

A woman asks a man about his new boss.

陽葵 Himari

新しい上司はどうですか？
Atarashii joushi wa dou desu ka?
How is your new boss?
蓮 Ren

少し気難しい人ですね。
Sukoshi kimuzukashii hito desu ne.
He is a bit of a grumpy person.
陽葵 Himari

それは大変ですね。
Sore wa taihen desu ne.
That sounds difficult.
蓮 Ren

はい、気を遣います。
Hai, ki o tsukaimasu.
Yes, I have to be careful around him.

Sources

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