めんどくさい
mendokusai
The English phrase "what a pain" can be expressed in Japanese as めんどくさい (mendokusai).
めんどくさい is a common phrase used in informal settings to express annoyance or the feeling that something is bothersome. You can also use the slang term うざい to describe things, actions or people that are irritating or annoying.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is an adjective that literally describes something as being troublesome, tedious or a hassle.
Which one should you use?
While めんどくさい is a standard informal expression, changing the final vowel sound to 'e' to form めんどくせえ makes the expression sound much rougher. This version is typically used by masculine speakers in very casual settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
めんどくさい is informal and should be avoided in polite or professional conversation. For standard daily use with acquaintances or superiors, you can use the polite form めんどくさいです. The rougher version めんどくせえ is considered slang.
How do you pronounce it?
mendokusai
Did you know?
- The phrase めんどくさい literally contains the word for 'smelly', as it is a compound of 'trouble' and the adjective 'kusai', meaning 'having a bad smell'.
- The shift from めんどくさい to めんどくせえ is an example of a phonetic change where 'ai' sounds become 'ee', a pattern often used in Tokyo dialect to sound tough or rebellious.
- In Japanese pop culture, the phrase めんどくさい is the defining catchphrase of Shikamaru Nara from the series Naruto, who uses it to express his desire to avoid any effort.
Examples in context
- 明日の試験勉強、めんどくさいなStudying for tomorrow's exam is such a pain.
- うちのネコ、また机の上に乗っかってきたよ。うざいわ！My cat climbed onto the desk again. What a pain!
- このプロジェクトは大変ですねThis project is quite a pain, isn't it?
- この手続き、面倒くさいですねThis procedure is such a pain, isn't it?
- あの仕事、しんどいわThat job is such a pain.
- 宿題をするのはめんどくさい。Shukudai o suru no wa mendokusai.Doing homework is a pain.
- 毎日掃除するのはめんどくさいなあ。Mainichi souji suru no wa mendokusai naa.Cleaning every day is such a pain.
- 準備がめんどくさいから、今日はやめておく。Junbi ga mendokusai kara, kyou wa yamete oku.Preparation is a pain, so I'll skip it today.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking about going to a party.
- 健太 Kenta今夜のパーティー、行く？Konya no paatii, iku?Are you going to the party tonight?
- 陽葵 Himari準備がめんどくさいから、行かない。Junbi ga mendokusai kara, ikanai.Getting ready is a pain, so I'm not going.
- 健太 Kentaそんなにめんどくさいの？Sonna ni mendokusai no?Is it really that much of a pain?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、すごくめんどくさいよ。Un, sugoku mendokusai yo.Yeah, it's a huge pain.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries めんどくさい, CC BY-SA 4.0.
