Back at it again with some more phrases that will make you sound native! For this blog, we will be discussing how to say “bothersome” or “pain in the…neck”–this is a very useful and commonly used expression for native speakers!
Contents
Overview
It’s that time again for us to discuss a useful phrase. In this blog, we will be talking about a very commonly used and quite simple phrase that you have probably heard in a manga or Japanese drama before–yes, it’s that common! This phrase is not just a useful phrase, but also an expression that is to express a certain type of emotion. For this blog, we will be talking about the phrase “面倒くさい(mendoukusai)” or ”めんどくさい(mendokusai)”. If you’ve noticed, there are two ways to spell our phrase of the day–which one is correct? To answer your question, both are!
What it means and its kanji: 面倒臭い (めんどうくさい:mendoukusai) or めんどくさい(mendokusai)
As mentioned in the previous section of this blog, there are two ways to spell this phrase. Let’s start with the spelling which has both the longer pronunciation and the kanji. This phrase consists of 3 kanji characters, “面(men)”, which means face and mask, “倒(dou)”, which means to fall or breaking down, and “臭い(kusai)”, which means stinky. Just from looking at the kanji, one can already conclude that this phrase has quite a negative connotation to it. The first one is how it should be properly spelled but native speakers usually spell it and pronounce it as “めんどくさい(mendokusai) for ease. Both are technically correct, the other is just used more predominantly by native speakers!
Like mentioned earlier, our phrase for today is quite a popular and commonly used expression. It conveys ones discontent towards something they don’t feel like doing or something one thinks is a pain to do. Other meanings could be bothersome, troublesome, hassle, tiresome, irritating, laborious, nuisance, waste of time, not worth it, and something one is unwilling to do–so yes, it does express a negative emotion! Also, please remember that this is quite a casual phrase, so only use it with people you are familiar with, like friends and family! Do not use this in formal and professional conversations.
In terms of its sentence structure, it can vary as it can be used by itself as an expression or can be used with other phrases attached to create a whole new sentence. Please look below for a few sentence examples on how to use “Mendokusai”.
そこまで歩いて行くのはめんどうくさい。
Soko made aruite iku no wa mendoukusai.
It's too much trouble to walk there.
今日は時間がない。シャワーを浴びるのめんどくさい。
Kyou wa jikan ga nai. Shawa- wo abiru no mendokusai.
I have no time today. I can't be bothered to take a shower.
アルバイトに行くのはめんどくさい。
Arubaito ni iku no wa mendokusai.
I don’t feel like going to my part-time job.
うるさいペットがいるのって時々めんどくさい。
Urusai petto ga iru notte tokidoki mendokusai.
Having a noisy pet can be a pain sometimes.
フランス語を習いたいけど、時間がかかって めんどくさそう。
Furansu go wo naraitai kedo jikan ga kakatte mendokusai sou.
I want to learn French but it seems like it takes too much time to learn. I just can’t be bothered.
What do you think? Quite easy, right? You just need to attach it to a phrase that you would like to add the phrase in so as long as you understand how to do the basics, you will have no problem in applying this phrase. Now, let’s look at a few more examples where “Mendokusai/Mendoukusai” is used as an expression in a conversation.
Aーさん：ちゃんと勉強しなさい！試験があるよー
Chanto benkyou shina sai! Shiken ga aru yo-
You should be studying! There's a test, you know.
B〜さん：わかったよ。めんどくせー
Wakatta yo. Mendokuse--
I know that. So annoying…
Aーさん：彼を話したければ、この書類を書いてください。
Kare wo hanashita kereba, kono shorui wo kaite kudasai.
If you want to speak to him, please fill out this paperwork.
Bーさん：なんでこの書類に書き込まないといけないの？めんどくさい！
Nande kono shorui wo kaki komanai to ikenai no?
Mendokusai!
Why do I have to fill out this paperwork? It’s not worth it!
Again, it’s fairly easy to use and will make you sound very fluent. Native speakers mostly use this expression to convey negative emotions but this can also be used in a joking manner like most english words so don’t take it too seriously if you get called “Mendoukusai” by a close friend!
Other uses of 面倒臭い (mendoukusai)
To be honest, there are many more ways to use “Mendokusai/Mendoukusai”. As a treat, we have added two more ways on here on how you can utilise this phrase. There are many more out there so please try and do more research as it will help with your studies! For two more ways you can use “Mendoukusai/Mendokusai”, please take a look below.
面倒な (mendou-na) – used as an adjective
This is quite direct–you will simply need to drop “kusai” and change its function into a な形容詞 or na-adjective. This takes on the function of a na adjective and keeps the original 面倒臭い (mendoukusai) meaning (annoying, bothersome). Please take a look at the conversation below.
Aーさん：彼が好きですか？
Kare ga suki desu ka?
Do you like him?
Bーさん：いえ。面倒な人。
Ie. Mendou na hito.
No. He is an annoying guy.
※面倒を見る (mendou wo miru) - to look after (someone)
For this phrase, you will also have to drop “kusai” and then attach を見る(wo miru) after. This will end up meaning “to look after” or “to care for” and is usually used when a person is being taken care of. Here’s a sentence example using it.
仕事中は親が息子の面倒を見てくれる。
Shigoto chuu wa oya ga musuko no mendou wo mite kureru.
My parents babysit my son for me while I work.
新人の面倒を見るようにお願いします。
Shinjin no mendou wo miru you ni onegaishimasu.
I’ll leave the new staff's care(entry into the company) to you.
It might be a bit confusing and intimidating at first but it does get easier with more practice. Try making a few sentences and think of situations where you can use “Mendoukusai/Mendokusai”. Try applying this to conversations if you can, and if practicing conversation is not possible, try writing! Writing conversations between two people where “Mendoukusai/Mendokusai” is used is very useful–it helps with your writing, spelling, application of the basics, and of course, gives you the opportunity to practice something you just learned. Try it out!
