(さわ)がしい

さわがしい
i-adjective
noisy, boisterous, clamorous
1. noisy, loud, boisterous
Describes an environment or group that is uncomfortably loud or chaotic with sound.
(となり)部屋(へや)(さわ)がしい。
The room next door is noisy.
教室(きょうしつ)(さわ)がしくて集中(しゅうちゅう)できない。
The classroom is so noisy I can't concentrate.
駅前(えきまえ)工事(こうじ)のせいで(あさ)から(さわ)がしかった。
The area in front of the station was noisy from morning because of construction.
2. turbulent, unsettled, restless
Describes a situation or period that is socially or politically unsettled and full of commotion.
()(なか)(さわ)がしい。
The world is in turmoil.
選挙(せんきょ)(まえ)政界(せいかい)(さわ)がしくなってきた。
The political world has become turbulent with the election approaching.
最近(さいきん)物価(ぶっか)上昇(じょうしょう)話題(わだい)世間(せけん)(さわ)がしい。
Lately, the public has been in an uproar over rising prices.

CONJUGATION:

  • Negative: (さわ)がしくない
  • Past: (さわ)がしかった
  • Te-form: (さわ)がしくて
  • Adverbial: (さわ)がしく

USAGE:
Sense 1 describes physical noise, while sense 2 describes social unrest or commotion. Both senses carry a negative nuance — the speaker finds the noise or turmoil unpleasant.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • うるさい focuses on the speaker's annoyance at noise and can be used as a direct complaint ("Shut up!"). (さわ)がしい is more objective and descriptive.
  • (にぎ)やか is positive ("lively"), while (さわ)がしい is negative ("noisy").

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 教室(きょうしつ)(さわ)がしい: the classroom is noisy
  • 世間(せけん)(さわ)がしい: society is in turmoil
  • (さわ)がしい環境(かんきょう): noisy environment