Japanese word

悩ます

Pronunciation

Romajinayamasu

Meaning

  • verbworry

Example

将来のことは私を悩まします。shō rai no ko to wa watashi o naya ma shi ma su

The future worries me.

Illustration for 悩ます (worry)

More examples

長引く議論が参加者を悩ましています。naga bi ku gi ron ga san ka sha o naya ma shi te i ma su

The prolonged discussion is troubling the participants.

Core concept

Places someone under an unwelcome mental or emotional burden that is difficult to escape.

Common phrases

  • 頭を悩ますatama o naya ma su

    rack one's brains

  • 人々を悩ますhito bito o naya ma su

    trouble people

  • 心を悩ますkokoro o naya ma su

    trouble one's mind

Similar words

困らせるkomaraseru: To cause someone practical difficulty or put them in an awkward situation.
煩わせるwazurawaseru: To burden someone with trouble or an unwanted demand.
苦しめるkurushimeru: To cause someone mental or physical suffering.

Definition in Japanese

人を心配させたり、困らせたり、苦しめたりする。hito o shin pai sa se ta ri koma ra se ta ri kuru shi me ta ri su ru

Word origin

悩ます (nayamasu) is a native Japanese verb formed from 悩む (nayamu, "to be troubled") with the causative suffix -su, giving the sense of "make someone suffer or worry".

Usage tips

  • The pattern 頭を悩ます (atama o nayamasu) describes wrestling with a difficult question or problem, so the verb can express intense thought as well as emotional distress.

Other meanings

  • troubleverb
  • tormentverb

Related words

Word lists with this word