Japanese word

苦悩

Pronunciation

Romajikunō

Meaning

  • nounanguish

Example

彼の苦悩は続きます。kare no ku nō wa tsuzu ki ma su

His anguish continues.

Illustration for 苦悩 (anguish)

More examples

その作家は作品の中で自身の苦悩を表現しています。so no sak ka wa saku hin no naka de ji shin no ku nō o hyō gen shi te i ma su

The author expresses their anguish in their work.

Core concept

It describes a state in which deep mental pain continues and weighs heavily on a person.

Common phrases

  • 苦悩を抱えるku nō o kaka e ru

    struggle with anguish

  • 深い苦悩fuka i ku nō

    deep anguish

  • 苦悩を分かち合うku nō o wa ka chi a u

    share anguish

  • 苦悩を乗り越えるku nō o no ri ko e ru

    overcome anguish

Similar words

苦しみkurushimi: A state of pain or distress caused by hardship, illness, or loss.
悩みnayami: A troubling problem or worry that occupies the mind.
苦痛kutsū: Severe physical or mental pain that causes distress.

Definition in Japanese

深く長く心を痛め、精神的に激しく悩み続けること。fuka ku naga ku kokoro o ita me sei shin teki ni hage shi ku naya mi tsuzu ke ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 苦悩 (kunō, "anguish") combines 苦 (ku, "pain") and 悩 (nō, "trouble") in their on'yomi readings.

Usage tips

  • 苦悩 (kunō) is more formal and literary than 苦しみ (kurushimi), so it often appears in serious discussions of prolonged mental pain.

Other meanings

  • agonynoun
  • distressnoun
  • sufferingnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 苦悩するkunōsuruagonizeverb

Word lists with this word