せわしない

せわしない
i-adjective
restless; busy; hectic
1. restless; fidgety; hurried
Unable to stay calm or still; constantly moving or busy.
彼(かれ)はせわしなく動(うご)き回(まわ)っている。
He's restlessly moving around.
2. busy; hectic
Full of activity with no time to rest.
せわしない毎日(まいにち)を送(おく)っている。
I'm living a hectic life every day.
年末(ねんまつ)はせわしない時期(じき)だ。
Year-end is a hectic time.

FORMS:

  • せわしない → せわしなく (adverbially)
  • せわしない → せわしなくない (negative)
  • せわしない → せわしなかった (past)

ETYMOLOGY:
From 忙(せわ)しい (busy) + ない (the ない here is not negative but an emphatic suffix, similar to 切(せつ)ない or はしたない).

KANJI:
Can be written as 忙(せわ)しない, though hiragana is more common.

USAGE:

Describes a person who can't sit still, or a period of time filled with activity:

  • せわしなく働(はたら)く (to work busily)
  • せわしない雰囲気(ふんいき) (hectic atmosphere)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 忙(いそが)しい - busy (more common)
  • 慌(あわ)ただしい - hurried, rushed
  • 落(お)ち着(つ)かない - restless, unable to settle

Related Words

Related: 忙(いそが)しい (busy)
general
Added 2026.1.18 14:06 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06500/06736_sewashinai