苛立ち

• Reading: いらだち
• Romaji: iradachi
• Kanji breakdown: 苛 (ka) — torment, harsh; 立 (ritsu/ta) — to stand, to rise
• Pronunciation: /i.ɾa.da.tɕi/

Meaning

Irritation; annoyance; frustration. A feeling of being agitated or upset.

The noun form of the verb 苛立つ (to be irritated). Describes a simmering, surface-level anger that builds from repeated small provocations or unresolvable situations. Stronger than いらいら (general restlessness) but less intense than 怒り (anger). Often paired with を感じる, を覚える, or を隠す.

Examples

1. 渋滞に巻き込まれて、苛立ちを隠せなかった。 Stuck in traffic, I couldn't hide my irritation.
2. 何度説明しても伝わらない苛立ちは、誰にでもある。 Everyone knows the frustration of explaining something over and over and still not getting through.
3. 彼の態度に対する苛立ちが日に日に増している。 My irritation with his attitude has been building day by day.

Usage Guide

Context: personal feelings, interpersonal conflict, stress

Tone: negative

Origin & History

Derived from the verb 苛立つ (iradatsu). The kanji 苛 means 'to torment' or 'harsh,' conveying the prickly, tormenting nature of the feeling.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal