Japanese word

忙しい

Pronunciation

Romajiisogashii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivebusy

Example

今日は忙しいです。kyō wa isoga shi i de su

I am busy today.

Illustration for 忙しい (busy)

More examples

今日は宿題で忙しいです。kyō wa shuku dai de isoga shi i de su

I am busy with homework today.

忙しい日でも、朝ご飯は必ず食べます。isoga shi i hi de mo asa go han wa kanara zu ta be ma su

Even on busy days, I always eat breakfast.

Core concept

Describes a person whose time is filled with tasks, leaving little room for other activities.

Common phrases

  • 忙しい毎日isoga shi i mai nichi

    busy days

  • 忙しい時isoga shi i toki

    when busy

  • 忙しい人isoga shi i hito

    busy people

Similar words

せわしいsewashii: Describes a person with many tasks and very little time available for other activities.
慌ただしいawatadashii: Describes a situation in which events happen quickly and there is little time to pause.
せわしないsewashinai: Describes a person or situation marked by restless, continuous activity.

Definition in Japanese

仕事や用事などに追われ、自由に使える時間が少ない状態である。shi goto ya yō ji na do ni o wa re ji yū ni tsuka e ru ji kan ga suku na i jō tai de a ru

Word origin

The native Japanese adjective 忙しい (isogashii, "busy") is the modern form of the older adjective 忙し (isogashi, "busy").

Usage tips

  • In beginner conversation, 忙しい (isogashii) often answers a question about availability, while English busy also describes places with a lot of activity.

Opposites

Related words

  • 忙しさisogashisabusynessnoun
  • 忙しがるisogashigaruact busyverb

Word lists with this word