Japanese word

いじめる

Pronunciation

Romajiijimeru

Meaning

  • verbbully

Example

学校で友達をいじめません。gak kō de tomo dachi o i ji me ma se n

I do not bully my friends at school.

Illustration for いじめる (bully)

More examples

誰かをいじめる前に、相手の気持ちを考えましょう。dare ka o i ji me ru mae ni ai te no ki mo chi o kanga e ma shō

Before bullying someone, let's think about their feelings.

Core concept

It describes using greater social or physical power to make another person suffer through repeated hurtful treatment.

Common phrases

  • 子どもをいじめるko do mo o i ji me ru

    bully a child

  • 仲間をいじめるnaka ma o i ji me ru

    bully a peer

  • 学校でいじめるgak kō de i ji me ru

    bully someone at school

Similar words

からかうkarakau: Make fun of someone in a playful or hurtful way, without necessarily targeting the person repeatedly.
嫌がらせするiyagarasesuru: Harass someone in a way that repeatedly causes trouble, discomfort, or distress.
いびるibiru: Treat someone harshly and repeatedly, often in a close personal relationship.

Definition in Japanese

力や立場の強さを利用して、相手を繰り返し困らせたり苦しめたりする。chikara ya tachi ba no tsuyo sa o ri yō shi te ai te o ku ri kae shi koma ra se ta ri kuru shi me ta ri su ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb いじめる (ijimeru) is the modern form of いぢめる (ijimeru), an older verb meaning "to torment".

Usage tips

  • As a transitive verb, いじめる (ijimeru) usually takes を (o) for the person who receives the action, as in 友達をいじめる (tomodachi o ijimeru).

Other meanings

  • teaseverb

Related words

Word lists with this word