うるさい

• Reading: うるさい
• Romaji: urusai
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.ɾɯ.sa.i/

Meaning

Shut up, noisy, or stop nagging — used to tell someone to be quiet or to express annoyance at persistent interference.

うるさい has a range from the neutral 'noisy' to the aggressive 'shut up!' depending on tone and context. As casual slang, it is most often used as an exasperated response to someone who won't stop talking, nagging, or giving unwanted opinions. It can also describe persistent sounds, but the interpersonal usage — telling someone to back off — is the most common slang application. The blunt うるさい！ is one of the first Japanese words many learners encounter in anime.

Examples

1. うるさい！今勉強してるんだから静かにして。 Shut up! I'm studying right now, so be quiet.
2. 隣の部屋の音楽がうるさすぎて寝れない。 The music from the next room is so loud I can't sleep.
3. いちいち口出すのうるさいんだけど。 It's annoying how you have to butt in about every little thing.

Usage Guide

Context: friends, family, casual conversation

Tone: irritated, commanding

Do Say

• うるさいな、ちょっと黙ってよ。 (You're so noisy, be quiet for a sec.)
• 細かいことにうるさい人って疲れるよね。 (People who are picky about every detail are exhausting.)

Don't Say

• 上司に「うるさい」は完全にアウト — 「少しお静かにしていただけますか」を使う (Saying 'urusai' to a boss is completely out — use polite requests instead)

Common Mistakes

• Not realising うるさい can mean 'picky/particular' (e.g., 味にうるさい = picky about flavour) — not just 'noisy'
• Using うるさい as 'shut up' to people you don't know well — it is rude and confrontational

Origin & History

A standard Japanese adjective meaning 'noisy/loud' with roots going back centuries. The slang usage as an emphatic 'shut up!' or 'stop nagging!' has long been part of casual speech and is ubiquitous in anime and manga.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient word, universal usage

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. One of the most iconic Japanese words, often heard in anime as an angry retort.