とても忙しい
totemo isogashii
The English phrase "very busy" is translated into Japanese as とても忙しい (totemo isogashii).
This phrase is used to describe having a lot of work or activities to do and having little free time. You can use the adverb とても (totemo) to mean "very" before the adjective 忙しい (isogashii).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb とても (totemo), meaning "very" and the i-adjective 忙しい (isogashii), meaning "busy".
How do you pronounce it?
totemo isogashii
Did you know?
- When someone is incredibly busy, they might be described as 目が回るほど忙しい (me ga mawaru hodo isogashii), which translates to 'so busy that one's eyes are spinning'.
- When someone says they are 忙しい (isogashii), a common polite response is not to ask why, but to say お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu). This acknowledges their hard work rather than questioning their schedule.
- In professional settings, Japanese speakers often avoid saying 忙しい (isogashii) because it can sound like they are complaining or are disorganized. Instead, they use the phrase バタバタしています (batabata shiteimasu) to describe a flurry of activity.
Examples in context
- 今とても忙しい。We're very busy just now.Tatoeba #172773 by small_snow, translation #241701 by CK
- 私はとても忙しい。I'm very busy.Tatoeba #159265 by bunbuku, translation #433991 by CK
- 彼女はとても忙しい。She is very busy.Tatoeba #91905 by bunbuku, translation #315715 by CK
- 誠に恐れ入りますが、私は現在、大変忙しいですので、後ほどご連絡いたします。I apologize for the inconvenience, but I'm currently very busy, so I will contact you later.
- 友達との予定をキャンセルしなきゃいけない。すごく忙しいんだ。I have to cancel plans with my friends. I'm really busy.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are talking about their schedules for the week.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さん、今週はとても忙しいですか？Yui-san, konshū wa totemo isogashii desu ka?Yui, are you very busy this week?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、仕事がたくさんあってとても忙しいです。Hai, shigoto ga takusan atte totemo isogashii desu.Yes, I have a lot of work and I am very busy.
- 健太 Kentaそれは大変ですね。無理しないでください。Sore wa taihen desu ne. Muri shinaide kudasai.That's tough. Please don't overdo it.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとうございます。健太さんはどうですか？Arigatō gozaimasu. Kenta-san wa dō desu ka?Thank you. How about you, Kenta?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
