もどかしい
もどかしい
i-adjective
frustrating, vexing, impatient
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | もどかしい | もどかしくない |
| Past | もどかしかった | もどかしくなかった |
| て form | もどかしくて | もどかしくなくて |
| Adverbial | もどかしく | — |
| Conditional ば | もどかしければ | もどかしくなければ |
| Conditional たら | もどかしかったら | もどかしくなかったら |
1.
frustrating, vexing, irritating
Describes the frustration felt when something doesn't go as expected or desired, or when one cannot act as freely as they would like. Often involves impatience or the feeling that things are progressing too slowly.
FORMS:
- もどかしい (plain form)
- もどかしく (adverbial form)
- もどかしさ (noun form - frustration)
NUANCE:
- Unlike 苛々する (irritated), もどかしい often implies being unable to do anything about the situation
- Contains a sense of helplessness or powerlessness
- Can describe both self-directed frustration and frustration watching others
COMMON CONTEXTS:
- Communication difficulties (language barriers, etc.)
- Watching someone struggle when you can't help
- Slow progress in recovery, learning, etc.
- Waiting for results or outcomes
- Romantic situations where feelings can't be expressed
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 歯がゆい (similar meaning - frustrating)
- じれったい (similar - frustrating/impatient)
- やきもきする (anxious/restless)
- 苛立つ (to be irritated)
EXPRESSIONS:
COLLOCATIONS: