(じゃま)

じゃま
noun, na-adjective
hindrance, nuisance
1. hindrance, obstacle, nuisance
Something or someone that gets in the way or causes inconvenience.
この荷物(にもつ)邪魔(じゃま)です。
This luggage is in the way.
仕事(しごと)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)(もの)()くと邪魔(じゃま)になるので、(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.
邪魔(じゃま)します。
Excuse me for intruding.
Said when entering someone's home
邪魔(じゃま)しました。(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)(いえ)にお邪魔(じゃま)して、一緒(いっしょ)にご(はん)()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.

KEY EXPRESSIONS:

  • 邪魔(じゃま)します: Excuse me for intruding (entering someone's space)
  • 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

GRAMMAR:

  • Noun: 邪魔(じゃま)をする (to disturb)
  • Na-adjective: 邪魔(じゃま)(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.