悩(なや)ましい

なやましい
i-adjective
troubling; vexing; difficult to decide
emotion
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Present悩(なや)ましい悩(なや)ましくない
Past悩(なや)ましかった悩(なや)ましくなかった
て form悩(なや)ましくて悩(なや)ましくなくて
Adverbial悩(なや)ましく—
Conditional ば悩(なや)ましければ悩(なや)ましくなければ
Conditional たら悩(なや)ましかったら悩(なや)ましくなかったら
1. troubling; vexing; hard to decide
Describes a problem or choice that causes worry and is hard to resolve, leaving one torn. The most common modern usage.
それは悩(なや)ましい問題(もんだい)だ。
That's a vexing problem.
どちらを選(えら)ぶか悩(なや)ましい。
It's hard to decide which one to choose.
予算(よさん)も時間(じかん)も限(かぎ)られていて、なかなか悩(なや)ましい状況(じょうきょう)だ。
With both budget and time limited, it's quite a troubling situation.
2. seductive; alluring
Describes something that stirs the senses or desire, especially a captivating, sensual quality. A more literary, less frequent sense.
悩(なや)ましい視線(しせん)を送(おく)る。
To cast an alluring glance.
悩(なや)ましい表情(ひょうじょう)が印象的(いんしょうてき)だった。
The seductive expression was striking.
歌手(かしゅ)は悩(なや)ましい声(こえ)でバラードを歌(うた)い上(あ)げた。
The singer delivered the ballad in a sultry voice.

The adjective form of 悩(なや)む (to worry). In everyday modern use sense 1 (a vexing dilemma) dominates; the sensual sense 2 is more literary.

Common collocations

Usage

Which sense applies is usually clear from context: paired with 問題(もんだい) or 選択(せんたく) it means vexing; paired with 視線(しせん) or 声(こえ) it leans toward sensual.

Related Words

Related: 悩(なや)む (to worry, to be troubled)
general
Added 2026.5.21 12:11 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
27500/27845_nayamashii