Japanese word of the day: 忙しい (Isogashii)

What does 忙しい (Isogashii) mean?

忙しい (Isogashii) (い-adjective) – Busy; occupied; hectic. This word describes having a lot to do and not much free time. Whether it’s work, school, or daily errands, 忙しい is the word you’ll use when life feels non-stop.

Kanji details for 忙

Character: 忙 — busy, occupied, restless
Radical: heart 心 (忄, ⺗)

Example sentences with 忙しい (Isogashii)

• 最近とても忙しいです。
  (Saikin totemo isogashii desu.)
  📅 I’ve been really busy lately.

• 今日は忙しくて昼ご飯を食べる時間がなかった。
  (Kyō wa isogashikute hiru gohan o taberu jikan ga nakatta.)
  🍱 I was so busy today I didn’t have time for lunch.

• 忙しい時は連絡してください。
  (Isogashii toki wa renraku shite kudasai.)
  📲 Contact me when you’re busy.

忙しい (Isogashii) in context

忙しい is one of the most common adjectives in Japanese, perfect for describing those days when your schedule is packed. You’ll hear it in the workplace, at school, and in casual conversation. If you want to politely decline an invitation, you can say “忙しいので…” (Because I’m busy…).

A quick tip: 忙しい can also express a sense of being mentally preoccupied, not just physically busy. If you want to say “not busy,” use 暇 (hima), which means “free” or “have spare time.”

Whether you’re juggling deadlines, running errands, or just feeling overwhelmed, 忙しい is the word that captures the hustle of daily life in Japan.