忙しい

• Reading: いそがしい
• Romaji: isogashii
• Kanji breakdown: 忙 (bō/isoga) — busy, occupied, restless
• Pronunciation: /i.so.ɡa.ɕi.i/

Meaning

Busy; occupied; hectic. Describes being pressed for time with many things to do.

An i-adjective used to describe a person or period that is full of tasks and obligations. Very common in daily and work conversations. Often used as a polite reason for declining invitations: 忙しいので (because I am busy). Conjugates regularly: 忙しくない, 忙しかった.

Examples

1. 今日はとても忙しいです。 I'm very busy today.
2. 母は毎日忙しく働いています。 My mother works busily every day.
3. 忙しかったので、映画に行けませんでした。 I was busy, so I couldn't go to the movies.

Usage Guide

Context: work, daily life, school

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 忙 combines 忄 (heart radical) and 亡 (to perish/lose), suggesting a state where the heart is lost or overwhelmed — a vivid image of being so busy one loses composure.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal