やかましい

• Reading: やかましい
• Romaji: yakamashii
• Pronunciation: /ja.ka.ma.ɕiː/

Meaning

Noisy; loud; strict; fussy; particular. Applies to both physical noise and to people who are excessively demanding or critical.

An i-adjective with two distinct usages: describing a literally loud environment, and describing a person who is persistently fussy, strict, or nagging. The second sense — excessive pickiness or strictness — is especially characteristic of N1-level usage and is more negatively charged than simply うるさい, which also covers both senses. Context usually disambiguates which meaning is intended.

Examples

1. 隣の部屋がやかましくて、深夜まで勉強に集中できなかった。 The next room was so noisy that I couldn't concentrate on studying until late at night.
2. 上司は礼儀についてやかましく、挨拶の仕方まで細かく指導する。 My boss is strict about manners and gives detailed instructions on everything down to how to greet people.
3. 子供たちがやかましいくらい元気に遊んでいる声が聞こえてきた。 I could hear the children playing so loudly and energetically.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, workplace, interpersonal complaints

Tone: critical

Origin & History

The kanji form is 喧しい, but the word is overwhelmingly written in hiragana in modern Japanese. Historically related to やかまし — a combination suggesting noisy commotion. The adverbial やかましく is frequent in formal prose.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: General