Japanese word

邪魔

Pronunciation

Romajijama

Meaning

  • na-adjectivein the way

Example

荷物が邪魔になっています。ni motsu ga ja ma ni na tte i ma su

The luggage is in the way.

Illustration for 邪魔 (in the way)

More examples

机の上に物を置くと、作業の邪魔になります。tsukue no ue ni mono o o ku to sa gyō no ja ma ni na ri ma su

If you put things on the desk, they get in the way of your work.

Core concept

Describes something that blocks a person, action, or space and makes normal progress difficult.

Common phrases

  • 邪魔になるja ma ni na ru

    get in the way

  • 邪魔をするja ma o su ru

    interfere

  • 邪魔な荷物ja ma na ni motsu

    luggage in the way

Similar words

迷惑meiwaku: Describes a person or thing that causes trouble or inconvenience for others.
面倒mendō: Describes a task or situation that is troublesome and requires extra effort or care.

Definition in Japanese

他の物や人の働きを妨げ、物事を進めにくくするさま。hoka no mono ya hito no hatara ki o samata ge mono goto o susu me ni ku ku su ru sa ma

Word origin

The Buddhist term 邪魔 (jama) combines 邪 (ja, "harmful") and 魔 (ma, "demon") for a force that obstructs practice, then broadens to everyday obstacles.

Usage tips

  • The polite phrase お邪魔します (ojama shimasu) is said when entering someone's home and acknowledges that the visitor may be intruding.

Other meanings

  • nuisancenoun
  • hindrancenoun

Related words

  • 邪魔者jamashanuisancenoun
  • 邪魔臭いjamakusaitroublesomei-adjective

Word lists with this word