なんで無視するの？
nande mushi suru no?
The English phrase "why are you ignoring me?" can be translated into Japanese as なんで無視するの？ (nande mushi suru no?)
This phrase is used to question someone who is intentionally not responding to your presence or your messages. In Japanese, you can also use the word スルー to mean "ignore."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase なんで無視するの？ is composed of nande (why), mushi suru (to ignore) and the particle no, which turns the statement into a soft question.
Which one should you use?
You can also use なんで私を無視してんの？ or なんでスルーしてんの？ in informal settings. The latter uses the slang term スルー to express the idea of ignoring.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form なんで無視するの? is informal and is best used with friends, family or people of equal social standing. For a more polite version that avoids sounding overly confrontational, use なんで無視してるんですか？ A formal version is なぜ私を無視しているのですか。
How does it change in a sentence?
Using the continuous form shiteru along with the polite copula desu ka in the phrase なんで無視してるんですか？ makes the question sound more polite.
How do you pronounce it?
nande mushi suru no?
Did you know?
- If you use the formal なぜ (naze) instead of the casual なんで (nande) in this question, you might actually sound more aggressive or like an interrogating officer rather than a hurt friend. In Japanese, higher formality can sometimes increase the perceived distance and tension.
- In Japanese digital culture, when someone is being 'ignored' or 'passed over' online, it is often called 既読スルー (kidoku suru). This specifically refers to the 'read receipt' function in messaging apps where the person has seen the message but hasn't replied.
- The kanji for 'ignore' 無視 contains the character 視 (shi), which means 'sight' or 'vision'. The phrase literally suggests that the person is refusing to cast their eyes upon you.
Examples in context
- あの、田中さん。なぜ私を無視しているのですか。Excuse me, Tanaka-san. Why are you ignoring me?
- なんで私を無視してんの？Why are you ignoring me?
- 怒ってる？なんで無視するの？okotteru? nande mushi suru no?Are you angry? Why are you ignoring me?
Example conversation
Yui is talking to Ren, but he is looking at his phone and not responding.
- 結衣 Yuiねえ、蓮、聞いてる？nee, ren, kiiteru?Hey, Ren, are you listening?
- 蓮 Renあ、ごめん。聞いてるよ。a, gomen. kiiteru yo.Oh, sorry. I am listening.
- 結衣 Yuiさっきから、なんで無視するの？sakki kara, nande mushi suru no?Why have you been ignoring me for a while now?
- 蓮 Renごめん、ちょっと考え事してた。gomen, chotto kangaegoto shiteta.Sorry, I was just lost in thought.
