悩ます in 30 Seconds
- 悩ます: To trouble or afflict (transitive verb).
- Causes worry or distress to an object.
- Requires a direct object marked by 'を'.
- Different from 悩む (to worry, intransitive).
The Japanese verb 悩ます (nayamasu) is a transitive verb that means to trouble, to afflict, or to cause worry or distress to someone or something. It implies actively causing a problem or burden that leads to suffering or difficulty for the object of the verb. Think of it as the act of making someone or something suffer or be bothered by a particular issue.
This verb is used in various situations where one entity is causing hardship to another. It can range from personal struggles caused by external factors to societal problems that plague a group. The nuance is that the action of troubling is intentional or a direct consequence of someone's actions or a particular situation. It's often used when describing the impact of problems on individuals, communities, or even abstract entities like a country's economy.
For example, a persistent illness can 悩ます a person, causing them continuous suffering. Similarly, a difficult economic situation can 悩ます an entire nation. In a more interpersonal context, one person's actions or words might 悩ます another, leading to emotional distress. The key is the act of imposition of trouble or affliction.
It's important to distinguish 悩ます from its intransitive counterpart 悩む (nayamu), which means to worry or be troubled. 悩ます is the active agent causing the worry or affliction, whereas 悩む is the state of being worried or troubled. This distinction is crucial for accurate usage.
Consider the context of a business facing a severe shortage of raw materials. This shortage would 悩ます the company's operations and management. In a personal story, a character might be 悩ます their family with their reckless behavior. The verb carries a sense of imposition and negative impact, making it a strong word to describe situations causing significant hardship.
The intensity of the trouble can vary. It can be a minor annoyance that persistently bothers someone, or it can be a major crisis that deeply afflicts a large population. The context will usually clarify the severity. For instance, a mosquito might 悩ます someone trying to sleep, a relatively minor affliction. On the other hand, a widespread disease would deeply 悩ます society.
In summary, 悩ます is about actively causing trouble or affliction. It's the agent that brings distress, worry, or suffering to someone or something else. Understanding this transitive nature is key to using it correctly in Japanese sentences.
Using 悩ます correctly involves understanding its transitive nature and the grammatical particles that connect it to its object. The typical sentence structure is Subject + Topic Marker (は/が) + Object + Object Marker (を) + 悩ます. This structure clearly indicates who or what is causing the trouble and who or what is being troubled.
For instance, when discussing a persistent problem, you might say:
その問題は、会社を長年 悩ます してきました。
Sono mondai wa, kaisha o naganen nayamasu shite kimashita.
Translation: That problem has been troubling the company for many years.
Here, 問題 (mondai - problem) is the subject causing the trouble, and 会社 (kaisha - company) is the object being troubled. The particle を (o) marks the direct object.
The verb can also be used in its polite form, 悩ませます (nayamasemasu), or its past tense forms like 悩ませた (nayamaseta).
Consider a situation where an individual is causing distress:
彼の無責任な行動は、家族をいつも 悩ます 。
Kare no musekinin na kōdō wa, kazoku o itsumo nayamasu.
Translation: His irresponsible behavior always troubles his family.
In this sentence, 行動 (kōdō - behavior) is the agent causing the trouble, and 家族 (kazoku - family) is the one being troubled. The adverb いつも (itsumo - always) emphasizes the persistent nature of the trouble.
The verb can also be used in passive or causative forms, but the base form 悩ます is the most direct way to express causing affliction.
Here's an example with a more abstract subject:
将来の不安が、若者を 悩ます ことがある。
Shōrai no fuan ga, wakamono o nayamasu koto ga aru.
Translation: Anxiety about the future can sometimes trouble young people.
In this case, 将来の不安 (shōrai no fuan - anxiety about the future) is the abstract cause of the trouble, and 若者 (wakamono - young people) are the ones being troubled. The phrase ことがある (koto ga aru) indicates that this happens sometimes.
Remember to always include a direct object marked by を when using 悩ます to indicate that you are actively causing trouble to something or someone.
Here are a few more examples to solidify understanding:
この病気は患者を 悩ます 症状を引き起こす。
Kono byōki wa kanja o nayamasu shōjō o hikiokosu.
Translation: This disease causes symptoms that trouble patients.
騒音が近所の人々を 悩ます ことがある。
Sōon ga kinjo no hitobito o nayamasu koto ga aru.
Translation: The noise can sometimes trouble the neighbors.
You'll encounter 悩ます in a variety of real-life contexts, from everyday conversations to more formal discussions. It's a word that captures a common human experience: being subjected to difficulties or worries caused by external factors.
In news reports, you might hear it used to describe societal issues. For example, a report on environmental pollution could state that the pollution 悩ます the local residents or the ecosystem. Similarly, economic news might discuss how inflation 悩ます businesses and consumers.
In personal anecdotes shared among friends or family, 悩ます is used to describe things that are causing distress. Someone might say:
この頭痛は私を本当によく 悩ます んです。
Kono zutsuu wa watashi o hontō ni yoku nayamasu n desu.
Translation: This headache really troubles me a lot.
In literature and movies, 悩ます is often used to describe the internal or external conflicts characters face. A character's past actions might 悩ます their conscience, or a villain's schemes might 悩ます the protagonists.
You might also hear it in discussions about health. For example, a doctor might explain how a particular condition 悩ます patients with its persistent symptoms. Conversely, a patient might describe how a new treatment has stopped the condition from 悩ます them.
In business settings, discussions about market challenges, supply chain disruptions, or labor shortages often involve the word 悩ます. A manager might say:
原材料の不足が、生産ラインを 悩ます 。
Genzairyō no fusoku ga, seisanssen o nayamasu.
Translation: The shortage of raw materials is troubling the production line.
Even in casual conversation about daily annoyances, it can appear. For instance, someone might complain that noisy neighbors 悩ます them, or that a particular pest 悩ます their garden.
The key is that 悩ます implies an active cause of suffering or distress. Whether it's a personal ailment, a societal problem, or interpersonal conflict, if something is actively making someone or something suffer, then 悩ます is likely the word being used.
Listening to Japanese podcasts, watching dramas, or reading Japanese articles will expose you to many more examples. Pay attention to the subject and object to understand who is causing the trouble and who is being troubled.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 悩ます is confusing it with its intransitive counterpart, 悩む (nayamu). Remember, 悩ます is transitive – it requires a direct object that is being troubled. 悩む is intransitive – it describes the state of being troubled or worrying.
For example, saying:
私は悩んでいます。
Watashi wa nayande imasu.
Translation: I am worrying/troubled.
This uses 悩む in its continuous form and is correct for describing your own state of worry. However, if you were to say:
私は彼を悩んでいます。
Watashi wa kare o nayande imasu.
This sentence is grammatically incorrect and semantically awkward. It incorrectly uses the transitive verb 悩ます without an implied object that *you* are causing trouble to, or it incorrectly uses 悩む as if you are personally causing trouble to 'him'. The correct way to say 'I am troubling him' would be:
私は彼を悩ませています。
Watashi wa kare o nayasete imasu.
Translation: I am troubling him.
Another common error is omitting the direct object when using 悩ます. Since it's a transitive verb, it needs to specify *who* or *what* is being troubled. Failing to do so makes the sentence incomplete or ambiguous.
For instance, a learner might incorrectly say:
そのニュースは悩ます。
Sono nyūsu wa nayamasu.
This sentence is incomplete. It doesn't state *who* or *what* the news is troubling. A correct version would be:
そのニュースは多くの人々を 悩ます 。
Sono nyūsu wa ōku no hitobito o nayamasu.
Translation: That news troubles many people.
Another potential pitfall is using 悩ます when the situation is about someone experiencing worry rather than causing it. If you are feeling stressed about an exam, you would say:
試験のことを 悩んで いる。
Shiken no koto o nayande iru.
Translation: I am worrying about the exam.
Not:
試験のことを 悩ませて いる。
In summary, always remember: 悩ます is about causing trouble (transitive), while 悩む is about being troubled or worrying (intransitive). Pay close attention to the presence and role of the direct object.
悩ます is a powerful verb for describing affliction, but there are other words and phrases that can convey similar meanings, each with its own nuances. Understanding these alternatives helps in choosing the most precise word for a given situation.
- 苦しめる (kurushimeru)
- This verb means 'to cause suffering' or 'to torment'. It often implies a more intense level of pain or distress than 悩ます. While 悩ます can be about worry or persistent annoyance, 苦しめる focuses more on physical or severe emotional pain. For example, a disease might 悩ます a patient with its symptoms, but it would 苦しめる them if those symptoms were excruciating.
- 困らせる (komaraseru)
- This means 'to inconvenience', 'to bother', or 'to put someone in a difficult situation'. It's generally less intense than 悩ます. You might 困らせる someone by asking a difficult question or making them wait, whereas 悩ます suggests a more significant or prolonged source of distress.
- 迷惑をかける (meiwaku o kakeru)
- This idiom means 'to cause trouble' or 'to be a nuisance'. It's very common and broadly applicable. While it overlaps with 悩ます, 迷惑をかける often refers to actions that inconvenience or annoy others, whereas 悩ます can imply a deeper level of affliction or worry. For example, a loud party might 迷惑をかける the neighbors, but a serious financial problem might 悩ます them.
- 苛立たせる (iradateru)
- This means 'to irritate' or 'to make someone impatient'. It's about causing frustration and annoyance, which is a component of being troubled, but 悩ます encompasses a broader range of distress, including worry and deep concern.
- 心配させる (shinpai saseru)
- This means 'to make someone worry'. It's very close in meaning to 悩ます when the trouble is related to anxiety. However, 悩ます can also imply other forms of distress beyond just worry, such as persistent annoyance or a general sense of being afflicted. For instance, a health concern might 心配させる you, and it might also 悩ます you with its potential consequences.
When choosing between these words, consider the intensity and nature of the affliction:
Minor annoyance/inconvenience: 困らせる, 迷惑をかける, 苛立たせる
Worry/General distress: 悩ます, 心配させる
Severe suffering/torment: 苦しめる
It's also important to remember the distinction between the transitive 悩ます and the intransitive 悩む (nayamu - to worry, to be troubled). While 悩ます is about causing trouble, 悩む describes the state of being troubled.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The character 悩 itself is composed of the radical '心' (kokoro - heart/mind) and '夘' (bō - which can be related to 'boiling' or 'agitation), suggesting a troubled or agitated mind. This etymology highlights the mental and emotional aspect of worry and affliction.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'u' sound too strongly.
- Incorrectly stressing the first or last syllable.
- Confusing the pronunciation with 悩む (nayamu).
Difficulty Rating
Understanding 悩ます requires distinguishing it from 悩む and recognizing its transitive nature. Texts using it often deal with complex issues, making comprehension challenging.
Correctly using 悩ます in writing demands careful attention to sentence structure, the presence of a direct object, and the distinction between causing trouble and experiencing it.
Pronunciation is relatively straightforward, but using 悩ます appropriately in conversation requires understanding the context and the nuance of causing affliction.
Distinguishing 悩ます from similar verbs and understanding the context to grasp the severity of the affliction can be challenging in spoken Japanese.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs
悩ます (transitive: to cause trouble) vs. 悩む (intransitive: to worry). The presence of a direct object marked by 'を' is key for 悩ます.
Causative Form (-させる)
悩む (to worry) -> 悩ませる (to make someone worry). 悩ます is already a causative verb, but 悩ませる is also commonly used and often interchangeable.
Passive Voice (-れる/られる)
悩ます (to trouble) -> 悩まされる (to be troubled by). This form is very common when describing being afflicted by something.
Particles (は, が, を)
Subject は/が Object を 悩ます. The particle を is crucial for marking the object being troubled.
Verb Tense and Aspect
悩ます (present), 悩ませた (past), 悩ませている (continuous), 悩まされてきた (passive continuous past).
Examples by Level
その騒音は私を悩ます。
That noise troubles me.
Subject (noise) + Object (me) + Verb (troubles).
彼の遅刻が先生を悩ませた。
His lateness troubled the teacher.
Past tense of 悩ます.
この暑さは毎日私を悩ます。
This heat troubles me every day.
Adverb 'every day' (毎日) indicates frequency.
虫が私の食べ物を悩ます。
Insects trouble my food.
Simple subject-object-verb structure.
宿題が子供たちを悩ませている。
Homework is troubling the children.
Continuous form (～ている).
新しい仕事が私を悩ます。
The new job troubles me.
Abstract subject (new job) causing trouble.
その匂いが鼻を悩ます。
That smell troubles my nose.
Body part as object.
雨が私たちの計画を悩ます。
The rain troubles our plans.
Event (rain) affecting an abstract concept (plans).
長引く不況が多くの企業を悩ます。
The prolonged recession troubles many companies.
Adjective 'prolonged' (長引く) modifying 'recession' (不況).
彼の無責任な行動は家族をいつも悩ませる。
His irresponsible behavior always troubles his family.
Adverb 'always' (いつも) and adjective 'irresponsible' (無責任な).
将来への不安が若者を悩ますことがある。
Anxiety about the future sometimes troubles young people.
'～ことがある' indicates possibility or occasional occurrence.
この病気は患者を悩ます症状を引き起こす。
This disease causes symptoms that trouble patients.
Relative clause structure: 'symptoms that trouble patients'.
騒音が近所の人々を悩ますことがある。
The noise can sometimes trouble the neighbors.
Use of '～ことがある' for occasional events.
その政策は国民生活を悩ます問題を引き起こした。
That policy caused problems that troubled the lives of the citizens.
Compound noun phrase acting as the object of 'caused'.
子供の病気が両親を深く悩ませている。
The child's illness is deeply troubling the parents.
Adverb 'deeply' (深く) intensifying the affliction.
この古い建物は維持管理が難しく、管理者たちを悩ませる。
Maintaining this old building is difficult and troubles the managers.
Connecting two clauses with a shared subject.
地球温暖化は、将来世代に深刻な影響を与え、彼らを悩ます問題となるだろう。
Global warming will have serious effects on future generations and become a problem that troubles them.
Complex sentence structure with future tense and consequential clauses.
彼女の度重なる嘘は、友人たちを悩ませ、信頼関係を損なった。
Her repeated lies troubled her friends and damaged their trust.
Past tense, connecting two negative outcomes with 'and'.
絶え間ない技術革新が、伝統的な産業を悩ます一方で、新たなビジネスチャンスも生み出している。
Constant technological innovation troubles traditional industries, while at the same time creating new business opportunities.
Use of '～一方で' (on the other hand) to present contrasting ideas.
この未解決の事件は、捜査員たちを長年悩ませてきた。
This unsolved case has troubled investigators for many years.
Perfect continuous aspect (～てきた) indicating a problem persisting over time.
経済的な不安定さは、人々の生活設計を悩ます大きな要因となっている。
Economic instability has become a major factor that troubles people's life planning.
Abstract subject (instability) acting as a factor.
過剰な情報が、現代人を情報過多という形で悩ませている。
Excessive information troubles modern people in the form of information overload.
Specifying the 'form' of trouble.
彼は、自身の過去の決断が現在も自分を悩ませていることを認めた。
He admitted that his past decisions were still troubling him in the present.
Subordinate clause indicating what was admitted.
その地域特有の地理的条件が、インフラ整備を悩ます要因となっている。
The unique geographical conditions of that region are factors that trouble infrastructure development.
Specificity of the cause of trouble.
社会構造の複雑さが、政策立案者を長年にわたり悩ます難問を生み出している。
The complexity of the social structure has created difficult problems that have troubled policymakers for many years.
Sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structure.
歴史的な遺産を保存することと、現代的な開発ニーズとの間で板挟みになる状況は、当局を悩ますジレンマである。
The situation of being caught between preserving historical heritage and modern development needs is a dilemma that troubles the authorities.
Idiomatic expression '板挟みになる' (to be caught in the middle) and sophisticated noun 'ジレンマ' (dilemma).
個人のプライバシー保護と、公共の安全確保という相反する要求が、法執行機関を悩ませる。
Conflicting demands for the protection of individual privacy and the assurance of public safety trouble law enforcement agencies.
Use of abstract nouns and parallel structure for 'conflicting demands'.
グローバル化の進展は、文化的多様性を維持しようとする努力を悩ます新たな課題を提起している。
The progress of globalization presents new challenges that trouble the efforts to maintain cultural diversity.
Complex noun phrases and abstract concepts.
AIの急速な発展が、人間の労働市場に与える影響は、多くの専門家を悩ませる未知数である。
The impact of the rapid development of AI on the human labor market is an unknown that troubles many experts.
Use of '～という形で' (in the form of) and nuanced vocabulary.
資源の枯渇という現実が、持続可能な社会の実現を目指す取り組みを悩ます。
The reality of resource depletion troubles initiatives aiming for the realization of a sustainable society.
Abstract subject (reality) affecting abstract goals (initiatives).
情報過多の時代において、真実と虚偽を見分ける能力の欠如は、市民社会を悩ます。
In an age of information overload, the lack of ability to distinguish truth from falsehood troubles civil society.
Complex subject phrase and abstract object.
教育システムの硬直性が、生徒たちの創造性を伸ばそうとする教育者の試みを悩ませている。
The rigidity of the education system is troubling the attempts of educators to foster students' creativity.
Figurative language and nuanced vocabulary.
ポスト真実の時代における情報操作の巧妙さは、民主主義の健全性を維持しようとする努力を悩ませる。
The subtlety of information manipulation in the post-truth era troubles the efforts to maintain the integrity of democracy.
Highly specialized vocabulary and complex abstract concepts.
気候変動の不可逆性という認識は、地球規模での持続可能性を模索する国際社会を悩ませる。
The recognition of the irreversibility of climate change troubles the international community seeking global sustainability.
Abstract nouns and sophisticated phrasing.
テクノロジーの倫理的含意に関する未解決の問いは、人類の未来を左右する決定を下そうとする者たちを悩ませる。
The unresolved questions regarding the ethical implications of technology trouble those attempting to make decisions that will shape humanity's future.
Long, complex sentences with embedded clauses.
アイデンティティの流動性と、集団的な結束を維持しようとする試みとの間の緊張関係は、現代社会を悩ませる。
The tension between the fluidity of identity and the attempts to maintain collective cohesion troubles modern society.
Abstract concepts and complex relationships.
経済格差の拡大がもたらす社会的不安は、調和のとれた共存を希求する政策立案者の構想を悩ませる。
The social unrest brought about by the widening economic disparity troubles the concepts of policymakers seeking harmonious coexistence.
Figurative language and sophisticated vocabulary.
宇宙開発競争における倫理的ジレンマは、人類の進歩の限界を問う科学者たちを悩ませる。
The ethical dilemmas in the space development race trouble scientists who question the limits of human progress.
Nuanced vocabulary and philosophical undertones.
個人の自律性と、集団的な幸福のために必要とされる介入との間のパラドックスは、社会哲学の根幹を悩ませる。
The paradox between individual autonomy and the interventions required for collective well-being troubles the core of social philosophy.
Highly abstract philosophical concepts.
AIによる創造性の模倣は、芸術の定義そのものを悩ませ、人間と機械の境界線を曖昧にする。
The imitation of creativity by AI troubles the very definition of art, blurring the lines between humans and machines.
Metaphorical language and complex philosophical questions.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— A problem that troubles someone or something.
その古いシステムは、会社を悩ます問題でした。 (That old system was a problem that troubled the company.)
— The cause that troubles someone or something.
長引く雨は、農家の人々を悩ます原因となっている。 (The prolonged rain is a cause that troubles the farmers.)
— Symptoms that afflict or trouble a patient.
この病気は、患者を悩ます様々な症状を引き起こします。 (This illness causes various symptoms that trouble patients.)
— A factor that causes difficulty or distress.
交通渋滞は、通勤者を悩ます要因の一つです。 (Traffic jams are one of the factors that trouble commuters.)
— Something that causes trouble or worry.
将来への不安が、多くの若者を悩ますことになっています。 (Anxiety about the future has become something that troubles many young people.)
— A dilemma that causes significant trouble or distress.
倫理的なジレンマが、研究者を悩ますことがあります。 (Ethical dilemmas can trouble researchers.)
— An experience that causes hardship or distress.
彼の過去の経験は、彼を悩ますものだった。 (His past experiences were things that troubled him.)
— Days filled with trouble or distress.
病気と闘う日々は、彼を悩ませた。 (The days fighting the illness troubled him.)
— An entity or being that causes trouble.
その害虫は、農作物を悩ます存在だ。 (That pest is an entity that troubles crops.)
— Concerns that cause worry or distress.
環境問題は、地球全体を悩ます懸念事項です。 (Environmental issues are concerns that trouble the entire planet.)
Often Confused With
This is the most common point of confusion. 悩む is intransitive and means 'to worry' or 'to be troubled'. 悩ます is transitive and means 'to cause worry' or 'to trouble'. You悩む, but something else 悩ます you.
While both mean to cause suffering, 苦しめる implies more intense pain or torment, whereas 悩ます can refer to persistent worry or annoyance.
This means to inconvenience or bother, which is a milder form of trouble than what 悩ます typically implies. 悩ます suggests a deeper or more persistent distress.
Idioms & Expressions
— To rack one's brain; to be deeply troubled or perplexed by a difficult problem.
この難問には、皆が頭を悩ませている。 (Everyone is racking their brains over this difficult problem.)
Neutral— To trouble one's heart or mind; to be deeply distressed or worried.
過ぎ去った後悔が、今も私の心を悩ます。 (Past regrets still trouble my heart.)
Neutral/Slightly literary— To be troubled by something (passive form). This is the passive voice of 悩ます, meaning 'to be afflicted by' or 'to be plagued by'.
私は毎晩、不眠に悩まされています。 (I am plagued by insomnia every night.)
Neutral— To have endless worries or troubles.
人生には悩みの種が尽きないものだ。 (Life is such that worries never cease.)
Neutral— To carry a burden of worries or troubles.
彼はいつも何か悩みを抱えているように見える。 (He always seems to be carrying some worries.)
Neutral— Fall down seven times, get up eight, without worrying (focusing on resilience). This is more of a philosophical statement than a direct idiom of 悩ます.
人生は七転び八起き、悩まずに進むべきだ。 (Life is about falling seven times and getting up eight, moving forward without worrying.)
Proverbial— To be drawn into a vortex of worries or troubles.
複雑な人間関係に、彼は悩みの渦に巻き込まれた。 (He was drawn into a vortex of worries by complex relationships.)
Literary— To sow the seeds of trouble or worry for others.
彼の無責任な発言は、皆に悩みの種を蒔いた。 (His irresponsible remarks sowed seeds of trouble for everyone.)
Figurative— A day when worries are cleared; a day of relief.
いつか悩みの晴れる日が来るだろう。 (Someday, a day when worries are cleared will come.)
Figurative— To cut off the root of worries; to resolve a problem completely.
この問題を解決し、悩みの種を断たねばならない。 (We must solve this problem and cut off the root of worries.)
FigurativeEasily Confused
Both verbs share the same kanji (悩) and relate to the concept of worry or trouble.
悩む is intransitive, meaning 'to worry' or 'to be troubled oneself'. 悩ます is transitive, meaning 'to cause worry' or 'to trouble' someone or something else. The key difference lies in agency: with 悩む, you are the one experiencing the trouble; with 悩ます, you are the one actively causing trouble to another.
私は将来を悩んでいます。(I am worrying about the future.) vs. その問題は会社を悩ます。(That problem troubles the company.)
Both verbs describe causing negative states to others.
苦しめる focuses on causing severe pain, suffering, or torment. 悩ます is broader and can encompass worry, annoyance, distress, or persistent difficulty. While severe suffering can be a form of being troubled, 悩ます doesn't necessarily imply the same intensity of pain as 苦しめる.
病気は患者を苦しめることがある。(Illness can cause patients suffering.) vs. その病気は患者を悩ませる。(That illness troubles patients.)
Both verbs describe actions that create difficulty for others.
困らせる means to inconvenience, bother, or put someone in a difficult situation, often implying a temporary or less severe state. 悩ます suggests a more significant, persistent, or deeper form of distress, worry, or affliction.
私の質問は彼を困らせた。(My question inconvenienced him.) vs. その問題は彼を長年悩ませた。(That problem troubled him for many years.)
Both verbs relate to causing negative emotional states.
心配させる specifically means 'to make someone worry'. 悩ます is broader; while it can include causing worry, it can also mean to afflict, trouble, or cause general distress or annoyance. If the trouble is solely about anxiety, 心配させる might be more precise. If it's a mix of worry and other forms of distress, 悩ます is suitable.
彼の無断欠席は皆を心配させた。(His unexcused absence made everyone worry.) vs. 彼の無責任な行動は家族を悩ませる。(His irresponsible behavior troubles his family.)
Both phrases describe causing trouble or inconvenience.
迷惑をかける is a general phrase for causing trouble or being a nuisance, often used for social inconveniences. 悩ます implies a deeper or more significant affliction that causes distress or worry, rather than just being a bother. A loud party might 迷惑をかける neighbors, but a serious economic recession would 悩ます the nation.
遅刻して、皆に迷惑をかけた。(I was late and caused trouble for everyone.) vs. 経済不況は多くの企業を悩ます。(The economic recession troubles many companies.)
Sentence Patterns
Noun A は Noun B を 悩ます。
その虫は私を悩ます。
Noun A は Noun B を 悩ませた。
彼の遅刻は先生を悩ませた。
Noun A は Noun B を ～ 悩ませている。
この暑さは人々を悩ませている。
Noun A は Noun B を ～ 悩ます ことがある。
騒音は近所の人々を悩ますことがある。
Noun A は Noun B を ～ 悩ます 問題だ。
その政策は国民生活を悩ます問題だ。
Noun A は Noun B を ～ 悩ます 要因となっている。
地理的条件はインフラ整備を悩ます要因となっている。
Noun A は Noun B を ～ 悩ませてきた。
この未解決の事件は、捜査員たちを長年悩ませてきた。
Noun A は Noun B を ～ 悩ます ジレンマである。
保存と開発のジレンマが当局を悩ます。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
Medium. While not an everyday word for casual chat, it's common in news, literature, and discussions about serious issues.
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Confusing 悩ます with 悩む.
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悩む is intransitive (to worry), 悩ます is transitive (to cause worry).
Learners often use 悩ます when they mean to say they themselves are worried. Remember: I 悩む. Something else 悩ます me.
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Omitting the direct object.
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The sentence needs an object marked by を.
Since 悩ます is transitive, it must have a direct object indicating who or what is being troubled. Forgetting this object makes the sentence incomplete. e.g., 'その問題は私を悩ます' (That problem troubles me), not just 'その問題は悩ます'.
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Using 悩ます for minor inconveniences.
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Use verbs like 困らせる or 迷惑をかける for lesser troubles.
悩ます implies a more significant or persistent source of distress, worry, or affliction. For small annoyances like being slightly late, 迷惑をかける is more appropriate than 悩ます.
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Using 悩ます to describe one's own suffering.
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Use 悩む or the passive 悩まされる.
If you are the one experiencing the trouble or worry, you use the intransitive 悩む (e.g., 私は悩んでいます - I am worrying) or the passive form 悩まされる (e.g., 私は不眠に悩まされています - I am troubled by insomnia). 悩ます is for causing trouble.
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Incorrectly forming the passive voice.
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The passive of 悩ます is 悩まされる.
While 悩ます is causative, its passive form is 悩まされる, meaning 'to be troubled by'. Learners might incorrectly try to form the passive from 悩む or use other incorrect conjugations.
Tips
Transitive Nature is Key
Always remember that 悩ます is a transitive verb. This means it requires a direct object that is being caused to worry or suffer. Ensure you have a noun followed by the particle を (o) before 悩ます in your sentence.
Distinguish from 悩む
The most crucial distinction is between 悩ます (to cause trouble) and 悩む (to worry/be troubled). If you are experiencing the worry, use 悩む. If something else is causing that worry, use 悩ます.
Consider the Intensity
悩ます can range from mild annoyance to significant distress. Context is vital for understanding the severity. For minor inconveniences, consider 困らせる or 迷惑をかける.
Stress on 'YA'
Remember the stress falls on the second syllable: na-YA-ma-su. Practice saying it to ensure clear pronunciation and avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
Common in Serious Situations
While not exclusively for dire circumstances, 悩ます is often used when discussing significant problems, persistent issues, or negative impacts that cause genuine distress or worry.
Active Causation
悩ます describes an active agent causing trouble. If you want to express being the recipient of trouble, use the passive form 悩まされる (e.g., 私は騒音に悩まされている - I am troubled by the noise).
Explore Related Verbs
Familiarize yourself with synonyms like 苦しめる (to torment) and 困らせる (to inconvenience) to choose the most precise verb for the level and type of affliction.
Sentence Construction Practice
Create your own sentences using 悩ます, focusing on correct subject-object-verb structure and varying the tenses and politeness levels. This active practice solidifies understanding.
Listen for Context
Pay attention to how native speakers use 悩ます in dramas, news, or conversations. The surrounding words and the situation will provide clues about the meaning and intensity.
Mnemonic Association
Use memory aids like associating the sound 'nay' with saying 'nay' to peace, thus actively causing trouble and worry.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'Nay' sound, like saying 'nay' to peace. This 'nay' is causing trouble and making things difficult for someone. So, when you 'nay-amasu' something, you are making it difficult and troubling it. Think of 'Nay, I must trouble you!'
Visual Association
Picture a person with a tangled knot in their stomach (representing worry/trouble). They are actively trying to tie this knot tighter around someone else, causing them distress. The action of tying the knot is the 'nayamasu'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe a recent situation where something or someone troubled you. Use the verb 悩ます in your description, making sure to identify the object that was troubled. For example, 'The constant rain troubled my outdoor plans.'
Word Origin
The verb 悩ます (nayamasu) is derived from the intransitive verb 悩む (nayamu), which means 'to worry' or 'to be troubled'. The causative suffix '-su' is added to 悩む to create the transitive meaning of causing someone or something to worry or be troubled.
Original meaning: The root likely relates to feelings of internal struggle or distress.
Japonic languagesCultural Context
When using 悩ます, be mindful of the context. It's a verb that describes negative impacts. Avoid using it lightly, especially in situations where politeness and avoiding inconvenience are paramount in Japanese social interactions.
In English, we might use phrases like 'to trouble someone,' 'to afflict someone,' 'to plague someone,' or 'to cause someone distress.' The nuance of active causation is important.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Personal struggles with health or well-being.
- 頭痛が悩ます。
- 不眠が悩ます。
- この病気が悩む。
Societal or economic issues.
- 不況が企業を悩ます。
- 環境問題が国民を悩ます。
- 物価高が家計を悩ます。
Interpersonal conflicts or actions causing distress.
- 彼の行動が私を悩ます。
- その言葉が心を悩ます。
- 彼女の嘘が友人を悩ませた。
Challenges in work or study.
- 締め切りが悩む。
- 難しい課題が悩ませる。
- 上司の要求が悩む。
Environmental problems.
- 騒音が近所を悩ます。
- 害虫が農作物を悩ます。
- 公害が地域を悩ます。
Conversation Starters
"最近、何かあなたを悩ませていることはありますか？"
"過去のどんな出来事が、今でもあなたを悩ませていますか？"
"社会が抱える問題の中で、特に何を悩ませるものだと感じますか？"
"もしあなたが誰かを悩ませているとしたら、それはどんな状況だと思いますか？"
"健康面で、あなたを悩ませていることはありますか？"
Journal Prompts
今日、私を悩ませた出来事について詳しく書き出してください。それは誰か、あるいは何かの行動によって引き起こされましたか？
過去に経験した、あなたを深く悩ませた出来事と、その経験から学んだことを記述してください。
もし、あなたが世の中のどんな問題を解決したいか、そしてそれがどのように人々を悩ませているかを説明してください。
あなたの周りで、誰かが何かによって悩まされている状況を想像して、その原因と結果を物語形式で書いてみてください。
将来について、あなたを悩ませる可能性のあることは何ですか？それらの懸念にどう対処できるか考えてみましょう。
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe main difference is transitivity. 悩む (nayamu) is intransitive and means 'to worry' or 'to be troubled' (e.g., 私は悩んでいます - I am worried). 悩ます (nayamasu) is transitive and means 'to cause worry' or 'to trouble' someone or something else (e.g., その問題は私を悩ます - That problem troubles me). You experience 悩む, but something else 悩ます you.
While 悩ます primarily relates to mental distress, worry, or persistent annoyance, it can sometimes be used metaphorically for physical discomfort that is persistent or bothersome. However, for direct physical pain or suffering, verbs like 苦しめる (kurushimeru - to torment) or 痛ませる (itamasu - to cause pain) are usually more appropriate. For example, a nagging headache might 悩ます you, but a sharp, intense pain would be better described with other verbs.
The object of 悩ます is the person, thing, or entity that is being caused to worry, be distressed, or afflicted. It is typically marked by the particle を (o). For example, in 'その問題は私を悩ます' (That problem troubles me), '私' (I) is the object.
悩ます is generally considered a neutral verb. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although its usage often implies a situation of some seriousness or significance, rather than trivial matters. In very casual conversation, more informal expressions might be preferred for minor annoyances.
The passive form 悩まされる (nayamasareru) means 'to be troubled by' or 'to be afflicted by'. It's used when the subject is the one experiencing the trouble, and the cause is external. For example, '私は騒音に悩まされている' (I am troubled by the noise) uses the passive form.
Common subjects that 悩ます include problems (問題), illness (病気), noise (騒音), economic conditions (不況), anxiety (不安), and irresponsible behavior (無責任な行動). The key is that these are things that actively cause distress or worry to someone or something.
Yes, 悩ます can be used with abstract concepts as both the subject (the cause of trouble) and the object (the one being troubled). For instance, '将来への不安が若者を悩ます' (Anxiety about the future troubles young people) uses an abstract subject and object.
迷惑をかける means 'to cause trouble' or 'to be a nuisance' and is often used for social inconveniences or when one's actions negatively impact others in a general sense. 悩ます implies a deeper level of distress, worry, or affliction. A minor inconvenience might 迷惑をかける, while a significant problem that causes deep worry or hardship would 悩ます.
You would use the causative form: 私は彼を悩ませています (Watashi wa kare o nayasete imasu). 悩ます itself is already a causative verb, but the -せる form is often used explicitly to show causation.
Yes, common idioms include 頭を悩ます (atama o nayamasu - to rack one's brain) and 心を悩ます (kokoro o nayamasu - to trouble one's heart/mind). The passive form 悩まされる is also very common in idiomatic expressions like 不眠に悩まされる (fumin ni nayamasareru - to be troubled by insomnia).
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Summary
悩ます is a transitive verb meaning to actively cause trouble, worry, or affliction to someone or something. It requires a direct object and is distinct from the intransitive verb 悩む (to worry). Example: その問題は会社を悩ます (That problem troubles the company).
- 悩ます: To trouble or afflict (transitive verb).
- Causes worry or distress to an object.
- Requires a direct object marked by 'を'.
- Different from 悩む (to worry, intransitive).
Transitive Nature is Key
Always remember that 悩ます is a transitive verb. This means it requires a direct object that is being caused to worry or suffer. Ensure you have a noun followed by the particle を (o) before 悩ます in your sentence.
Distinguish from 悩む
The most crucial distinction is between 悩ます (to cause trouble) and 悩む (to worry/be troubled). If you are experiencing the worry, use 悩む. If something else is causing that worry, use 悩ます.
Consider the Intensity
悩ます can range from mild annoyance to significant distress. Context is vital for understanding the severity. For minor inconveniences, consider 困らせる or 迷惑をかける.
Stress on 'YA'
Remember the stress falls on the second syllable: na-YA-ma-su. Practice saying it to ensure clear pronunciation and avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.
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