![(Alt Text: Joy enjoying a party [Nigiyaka] vs. Joy annoyed by noise [Sawagashii])](https://jplt-dialogplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Gemini_Generated_Image_y3ws5py3ws5py3ws.png)
(Joy enjoying a party [Nigiyaka] vs. Joy annoyed by noise [Sawagashii])
“This town is lively.” vs “The neighbors are noisy.”
In Japanese, both describe places with sound and people, but the feeling is opposite. にぎやか (Nigiyaka) is usually positive (Fun), while さわがしい (Sawagashii) is negative (Annoying). Let’s master the difference!
🗣 Conversation Scene
Joy and Ken are walking through a festival, but there is construction nearby.
(It’s a festival! There are many people and it is “lively/vibrant”!)
(Yes. But the construction noise over there is “noisy/disturbing”…)
💡 Explanation
Is the sound “Fun” or “Annoying”?
Point 1: Nigiyaka (にぎやか) = Lively (Positive)
This describes a place with many people, energy, and a happy atmosphere. It is a “Na-Adjective”.
- 東京（とうきょう）は とても にぎやか な 町（まち）です。
(Tokyo is a very lively/bustling city.) - パーティーは にぎやか でした。
(The party was lively/fun.)
Point 2: Sawagashii (さわがしい) = Noisy (Negative)
This describes a place that is too loud, disturbing, or restless. It implies you want it to be quieter. It is an “I-Adjective”.
- 外（そと）が さわがしい ですね。何（なに）か あったのかな？
(It is noisy/commotion outside. Did something happen?) - 選挙（せんきょ）の車（くるま）が さわがしい です。
(The election cars are noisy/annoying.)
📊 Comparison Table
🚧 Joy’s Mistake
(To a friend at a party)
❌ Wrong: あなたのパーティーは さわがしい ですね！
(This sounds like: “Your party is annoying/noisy!” It is rude.)
✅ Right: あなたのパーティーは にぎやか ですね！
(Your party is lively and fun!)
🔥 Practice Quiz
Tap to check the answer!
