Word
邪魔
Meaning in Englishhindrance, disturbance, obstruction
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
邪魔 means something or someone that blocks progress or interferes with activities, functioning as a hindrance in physical spaces or in plans.
Main meanings
- 1) Physical obstruction or obstacle blocking a path or space
- 2) Interference that prevents action or completion of a task
- 3) Nuisance or annoyance in social or everyday situations
How to use it
- Used as a noun or na-adjective to describe something that is in the way in everyday Japanese
- As a verb phrase 邪魔をする indicates active hindrance; 邪魔になる expresses that something becomes a hindrance
- In polite speech邪魔です and casual邪魔だ are common; the set phrase お邪魔します is used when politely entering someone’s space
Variants and close terms
- 妨害 (bougai) — interference
- 障害 (shougai) — obstacle
- 邪魔な (jama na) — nuisance (adjective form)
- 邪魔をする (jama o suru) — to hinder
- 邪魔になる (jama ni naru) — to become a hindrance
Composition
- 邪: evil, wrong; harmful influence
- 魔: demon, spirit; magic; demonic
- Joint meaning: a force that blocks or hinders, often described as an intrusive or harmful presence
Word class
Noun, na-adjective; verb phrase 邪魔をする