Japanese word

苦しむ

Pronunciation

Romajikurushimu

Meaning

  • verbsuffer

Example

私は歯の痛みで苦しんでいます。watashi wa ha no ita mi de kuru shi n de i ma su

I am suffering from a toothache.

Illustration for 苦しむ (suffer)

More examples

多くの人が花粉症に苦しんでいます。ō ku no hito ga ka fun shō ni kuru shi n de i ma su

Many people suffer from hay fever.

Core concept

Refers to enduring pain, worry, or hardship rather than simply experiencing a brief unpleasant feeling.

Common phrases

  • 痛みに苦しむita mi ni kuru shi mu

    suffer from pain

  • 貧困に苦しむhin kon ni kuru shi mu

    suffer from poverty

  • 不安に苦しむfu an ni kuru shi mu

    suffer from anxiety

Similar words

悩むnayamu: To feel troubled by worry, uncertainty, or a difficult choice.
困るkomaru: To be unable to deal with a situation or obtain something needed.
苦労するkurōsuru: To experience difficulty while trying to do something or manage daily life.

Definition in Japanese

痛みや悩みなどを長く感じ、困難な状態に耐える。ita mi ya naya mi na do o naga ku kan ji kon nan na jō tai ni ta e ru

Word origin

苦しむ (kurushimu, "to suffer") is a native Japanese formation from 苦し (kurushi, "painful or difficult"), the stem of 苦しい (kurushii, "painful or difficult"), with む (mu) added to form a verb.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 苦しむ (kurushimu) covers emotional or practical trouble as well as physical pain, so it is broader than English "hurt".

Other meanings

  • be troubledverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word