Meaning and Usage
The adjective うっとうしい describes something that is annoying, bothersome, or gloomy. It often conveys a feeling of discomfort caused by weather, people, or situations that are mentally or physically oppressive.
Common Contexts
- Weather: Used to describe gloomy, cloudy, or humid conditions that make the atmosphere feel heavy or depressing.
- People or behavior: Refers to annoying or persistent actions that cause irritation.
- Insects or noises: Can describe bothersome creatures or sounds that disturb peace.
Collocations and Patterns
- うっとうしい天気 (gloomy weather): Describes oppressive or depressing weather.
- うっとうしい質問 (annoying questions): Refers to bothersome or repetitive questioning.
- うっとうしい虫 (annoying insects): Commonly used to describe pests that bother someone.
Register and Nuance
This word is informal to neutral and commonly used in everyday conversation. It expresses a subjective feeling of annoyance or discomfort. It is not typically used in formal writing.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse うっとうしい with うるさい (noisy) or いや (disagreeable). While うるさい focuses on loudness and いや on dislike, うっとうしい emphasizes a heavy, oppressive, or bothersome feeling that can be physical or emotional.