Meaning
To be troubled or concerned about a problem, often to the point of distress.
Cultural Background
In Japanese business culture, showing that you are '{頭|あたま}を{悩|なや}ませている' can be a way to demonstrate 'sincerity' ({誠実|せいじつ}). It shows you aren't taking the client's problem lightly. While Japanese values the 'process' of worrying, some Western business cultures might prefer 'problem-solving' language like 'brainstorming' which sounds more active and less 'pained'. In Japanese universities, this phrase is often used by professors to describe 'unsolved mysteries' in science, making the problem sound like a living opponent.
Use with 'ni'
Always remember the particle 'ni' for the cause. It's the most natural way to link the problem to the phrase.
Not for small things
Don't use it for 'what should I wear today?' unless you are a fashion model at a major show!
Meaning
To be troubled or concerned about a problem, often to the point of distress.
Use with 'ni'
Always remember the particle 'ni' for the cause. It's the most natural way to link the problem to the phrase.
Not for small things
Don't use it for 'what should I wear today?' unless you are a fashion model at a major show!
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing particle and verb form.
{新|あたら}しい{仕事|しごと}（ ）{頭|あたま}を（ ）。
The particle 'ni' marks the cause, and '{悩|なや}ます' is the correct transitive verb.
Which situation is appropriate for '{頭|あたま}を{悩|なや}ます'?
Choose the best context:
Choosing a university is a complex life problem that requires deep thought.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {引|ひ}っ{越|こ}しの{荷物|にもつ}、どうやって{運|はこ}ぶ？ B: うーん、トラックが{高|たか}くて（ ）。
B is struggling with a logistical problem (moving costs).
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercises{新|あたら}しい{仕事|しごと}（ ）{頭|あたま}を（ ）。
The particle 'ni' marks the cause, and '{悩|なや}ます' is the correct transitive verb.
Choose the best context:
Choosing a university is a complex life problem that requires deep thought.
A: {引|ひ}っ{越|こ}しの{荷物|にもつ}、どうやって{運|はこ}ぶ？ B: うーん、トラックが{高|たか}くて（ ）。
B is struggling with a logistical problem (moving costs).
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes, it's very professional. It shows you are taking a work problem seriously.
No, '{悩|なや}む' is intransitive. You can say '{問題|もんだい}に{悩|なや}む', but not '{頭|あたま}を{悩|なや}む'.
They are almost identical in this idiom. '{悩|なや}ませる' is slightly more common in modern spoken Japanese.
Related Phrases
{頭|あたま}を{抱|かか}える
similarTo hold one's head in one's hands
{知恵|ちえ}を{絞|しぼ}る
builds onTo wring out one's wisdom
{頭|あたま}が{痛|いた}い
similarTo have a headache
{試行錯誤|しこうさくご}
specialized formTrial and error
