Japanese · Frustration
邪魔
jama
JAH-mah · /dʑama/
You're in the way / quit blocking me
2/5 Bar-safe
coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances
Literally
"obstruction / hindrance"
Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.
How to use it
"Obstacle." Snapped at someone or something in your path — a person blocking the aisle, clutter, an unwanted helper. "Jama!" flat is rude and shove-y; "jama dakara doite" (you're in the way, move) is the fuller version. Note the polite homonym "o-jama shimasu" (excuse the intrusion) said on entering a home — same kanji, opposite manners.
Heard in the wild
そこどいて、邪魔なんだけど。
Move — you're in the way.
Where it lands
Nationwide
Quick answers
- What does "邪魔" mean?
- In Japanese, "邪魔" means "You're in the way / quit blocking me". Literally it's "obstruction / hindrance". "Obstacle." Snapped at someone or something in your path — a person blocking the aisle, clutter, an unwanted helper. "Jama!" flat is rude and shove-y; "jama dakara doite" (you're in the way, move) is the fuller version. Note the polite homonym "o-jama shimasu" (excuse the intrusion) said on entering a home — same kanji, opposite manners.
- Is "邪魔" offensive?
- It's on the mild end — 2/5 (Bar-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances.
- How do you pronounce "邪魔"?
- Say it "JAH-mah" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: dʑama.
Related in Japanese
うるさい urusai oo-roo-SIGH Shut up / you're too loud / quit nagging うざい uzai oo-ZYE Annoying / a pain in the ass 最低 saitei sigh-TAY The worst / despicable / how low クソ食らえ kuso kurae KOO-so koo-RAH-eh Eat shit / to hell with it 何だよ nanda yo NAHN-dah yo What the hell / what's your problem 面倒くさい mendōkusai men-DOH-koo-sigh What a pain / can't be bothered / such a hassle
The same idea, elsewhere
Via concepts like "Get lost".
- French Casse-toi, pauvre con ! Get lost, you pathetic idiot
- German Hau ab! Get lost! / Clear off! / Beat it!
- Greek άντε γαμήσου Go fuck yourself / get lost / piss off.
- Italian Vaffanculo! Fuck off! / Go to hell!
- Korean 꺼져 Get lost / piss off — you're telling a human to power down.
- Polish spierdalaj Fuck off / piss off.
- Portuguese Vagabundo Bum / lowlife / good-for-nothing (f. 'vagabunda' = slut)
- Russian Иди в баню! Get lost! / Buzz off! (gentle)
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