邪魔(じゃま)

じゃま
noun, na-adjective
hindrance, nuisance
descriptive
See also: 邪魔(じゃま)する (verb form)
1. hindrance, obstacle, nuisance
Something or someone that gets in the way or causes inconvenience.
この荷物(にもつ)が邪魔(じゃま)です。
This luggage is in the way.
仕事(しごと)の邪魔(じゃま)をしないでください。
Please don't interrupt my work.
通路(つうろ)に物(もの)を置(お)くと邪魔(じゃま)になるので、片(かた)づけてください。
Leaving things in the hallway gets in the way, so please tidy up.
2. intrusion, disturbance
Used in the set phrase お邪魔します when entering someone's home.
お邪魔(じゃま)します。
Excuse me for intruding.
Said when entering someone's home
お邪魔(じゃま)しました。楽(たの)しかったです。
Thank you for having me. It was fun.
Said when leaving someone's home
友達(ともだち)の家(いえ)にお邪魔(じゃま)して、一緒(いっしょ)にご飯(はん)を食(た)べた。
I visited a friend's house and we ate together.

邪魔(じゃま) is used both as a noun and na-adjective.

Common expressions

  • お邪魔(じゃま)します: Excuse me for intruding (entering someone's space)
  • お邪魔(じゃま)しました: Thank you for having me (when leaving)
  • 邪魔(じゃま)をする: to disturb, to get in the way
  • 邪魔(じゃま)になる: to become a hindrance

Common patterns

  • Noun: 邪魔(じゃま)をする (to disturb)
  • Na-adjective: 邪魔(じゃま)な物(もの) (thing in the way)

Cultural note: お邪魔(じゃま)します literally means 'I will be a hindrance,' showing the Japanese custom of expressing humility when entering someone's space.

Related Words

Related: 妨害(ぼうがい) (obstruction)
Related: 横槍(よこやり) (interference)
Compare: 目障(めざわ)り (eyesore)
Compare: 足手(あしで)まとい (burden)
general
Added 2026.1.9 21:52 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
01500/01610_jama