耳 障(みみざわ)り

みみざわり

noun, na-adjective

unpleasant to hear; grating; offensive to the ear

senses quality

1. unpleasant to hear; grating; offensive to the ear

Something that is annoying or unpleasant to listen to, whether a sound, words, or manner of speaking.

耳障(みみざわ)りな音(おと)がする。

There's a grating sound.

隣(となり)の部屋(へや)の音楽(おんがく)が耳障(みみざわ)りだ。

The music from the next room is annoying.

彼(かれ)の自慢話(じまんばなし)は聞(き)いていて耳障(みみざわ)りで、周(まわ)りの人(ひと)もうんざりしていた。

His boasting was grating to listen to, and the people around him were fed up too.

Functions as both a noun and a な-adjective. Composed of 耳(みみ) (ear) + 障(さわ)り (hindrance, offense). Describes sounds, voices, or speech that are irritating or offensive.

Common collocations

耳障(みみざわ)りな音(おと): grating noise
耳障(みみざわ)りな声(こえ): unpleasant voice
耳障(みみざわ)りな言葉(ことば): offensive words
耳障(みみざわ)りに感(かん)じる: to find something grating

Usage

Note the difference between 耳障(みみざわ)り (unpleasant to hear, always negative) and 耳触(みみざわ)り (how something sounds, can be neutral or positive — as in 耳触(みみざわ)りがいい). However, in modern usage these are sometimes confused.

Similar words

うるさい: noisy, annoying — more everyday and direct
目障(めざわ)り: eyesore — the visual equivalent
不快(ふかい)な: unpleasant — broader, not limited to hearing

Related Words

Compare: うるさい (noisy, annoying)

Compare: 目障(めざわ)り (eyesore)

Compare: 不快(ふかい) (unpleasant)

Related: 肌触(はだざわ)り (feel to the touch)

Compare: 甲高(かんだか)い (shrill, high-pitched)

Compare: 聞(き)き苦(ぐる)しい (hard to listen to)

general

Added 2026.3.29 2:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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