How to say “I'm busy” in Japanese

忙しいです
いそがしいですisogashii desu
expressionEveryday phrases
The short answer

“I'm busy” in Japanese is 忙しいです (いそがしいです), pronounced isogashii desu.

Pronunciation

The phrase has 7 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or use the play button above for the whole phrase:

How to use it

Also used to politely decline invitations, often softened: .

Example sentences

  • 今週は忙しいです。こんしゅうはいそがしいです。
    I’m busy this week.
  • ごめん、今日はちょっと忙しくて。ごめん、きょうはちょっといそがしくて。
    Sorry, I’m a bit busy today.

Quick practice

Test yourself0/3
  1. What does {{忙しいです}} mean?

  2. How do you read {{忙しいです}}?

  3. Which word means “I'm tired”?

FAQ

How do you say I'm busy in Japanese?

I'm busy in Japanese is 忙しいです (いそがしいです), pronounced “isogashii desu”.

How do you write I'm busy in Japanese?

It's written 忙しいです with kanji, or いそがしいです in hiragana. Both are read isogashii desu.