歯(は)がゆい

はがゆい

i-adjective

frustrating; vexing; tantalizing

Conjugation

	Affirmative	Negative
Present	歯(は)がゆい	歯(は)がゆくない
Past	歯(は)がゆかった	歯(は)がゆくなかった
て form	歯(は)がゆくて	歯(は)がゆくなくて
Adverbial	歯(は)がゆく	—
Conditional ば	歯(は)がゆければ	歯(は)がゆくなければ
Conditional たら	歯(は)がゆかったら	歯(は)がゆくなかったら

1. frustrating; vexing; irritating (because things aren't going as desired)

The feeling of frustration when something is close to what you want but not quite satisfactory, or when you cannot do anything about an unsatisfying situation.

彼(かれ)の優柔不断(ゆうじゅうふだん)な態度(たいど)が歯(は)がゆい。

His indecisive attitude is frustrating.

自分(じぶん)では何(なに)もできないのが歯(は)がゆい。

It's frustrating that I can't do anything myself.

歯(は)がゆい思(おも)いをした。

I felt frustrated (had a vexing experience).

Etymology

Literally "itchy teeth" - the sensation of wanting to bite down but being unable to, expressing impotent frustration.

Forms

Adverbial: 歯(は)がゆく
Noun form: 歯(は)がゆさ (frustration, vexation)

Negative: 歯(は)がゆくない
Te-form: 歯(は)がゆくて
Past: 歯(は)がゆかった

Common patterns

Xが歯(は)がゆい (X is frustrating)
歯(は)がゆい思(おも)いをする (to have a frustrating experience)
歯(は)がゆく感(かん)じる (to feel frustrated)

Similar words

もどかしい (frustrating) - similar meaning, focused on impatience
いらいらする (to be irritated) - more about annoyance
じれったい (impatient, irritating) - similar, more casual

Usage

歯(は)がゆい specifically expresses frustration at not being able to intervene or change a situation, often watching someone else fail to meet expectations.

Related Words

Related: もどかしい (frustrating; vexing)

Related: じれったい (impatient, exasperating (more casual))

general

Added 2026.1.18 12:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

06500/06628_hagayui