Japanese word

悩ましい

Pronunciation

Romajinayamashii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivetroublesome

Example

この問題は悩ましいです。ko no mon dai wa naya ma shi i de su

This problem is troublesome.

Illustration for 悩ましい (troublesome)

More examples

予算と品質のどちらを優先するかは悩ましいです。yo san to hin shitsu no do chi ra o yū sen su ru ka wa naya ma shi i de su

Deciding whether to prioritize the budget or quality is troublesome.

Core concept

Describes something that unsettles the mind because it is hard to resolve or hard to resist.

Common phrases

  • 悩ましい選択naya ma shi i sen taku

    troublesome choice

  • 悩ましい問題naya ma shi i mon dai

    troublesome problem

  • 悩ましい判断naya ma shi i han dan

    troublesome decision

Similar words

面倒くさいmendōkusai: Describes something that feels bothersome because it requires unwanted time or effort.
煩わしいwazurawashii: Describes something that causes trouble and requires effort to deal with.
ややこしいyayakoshii: Describes something that is complicated and hard to sort out.

Definition in Japanese

解決や判断が難しくて心を苦しませるさま。また、魅力が強くて心を惑わせるさま。kai ketsu ya han dan ga muzuka shi ku te kokoro o kuru shi ma se ru sa ma ma ta mi ryoku ga tsuyo ku te kokoro o mado wa se ru sa ma

Word origin

悩ましい (nayamashii) is formed from 悩む (nayamu, "to be troubled") with the adjective-forming ending ましい (mashii).

Usage tips

  • In phrases about choices, 悩ましい (nayamashii) often marks a conflict that keeps a decision from feeling straightforward, not merely a minor inconvenience.

Other meanings

  • seductivei-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 悩ましさnayamashisatroublesomenessnoun

Word lists with this word