It describes a state of intense suffering, whether physical or psychological, that is difficult to endure.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to intense physical pain or deep emotional suffering.
- Used in both formal and everyday contexts for unpleasant experiences.
- Often combined with verbs like feel, endure, or cause.
使用パターン
「苦痛を感じる」「苦痛を与える」「苦痛を伴う」といった動詞と組み合わせて使われることが一般的です。また、「精神的苦痛」や「肉体的苦痛」のように、どのような種類の苦しみかを修飾語で明確にすることが多いです。
類語との比較
「痛み」は主に物理的な感覚を指しますが、「苦痛」は物理的な痛みと精神的な悩みの両方を含みます。「つらさ」はより口語的で主観的な感情に寄り添った表現ですが、「苦痛」はより客観的で重みのある響きを持ちます。
Examples
その病気は激しい苦痛を伴う。
everydayThe illness is accompanied by intense pain.
精神的苦痛に対する損害賠償を求める。
formalI am seeking damages for emotional distress.
毎日満員電車に乗るのは苦痛だ。
informalRiding a crowded train every day is agonizing.
被験者は実験中に強い苦痛を感じたと報告した。
academicThe subjects reported feeling strong distress during the experiment.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
苦痛を分かち合う
to share the pain
苦痛から解放される
to be relieved from pain
苦痛に耐える
to endure pain
Often Confused With
Pain is mostly physical and refers to the sensory experience. Kutsū is deeper and includes both physical and mental suffering.
Kuro refers to 'hardship' or 'labor' that one goes through to achieve something. Kutsū is strictly about the unpleasant feeling or agony.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Kutsū is a versatile word used in both formal and informal settings. However, it is quite heavy, so it should not be used for minor discomforts. Use it when describing something that is truly difficult to bear.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use it for simple annoyances like 'I don't like this food' (e.g., 'この食べ物は苦痛だ'). This sounds too extreme; use '苦手' instead. Remember it is a noun, not an adjective, so it needs 'だ' or 'である' to form a predicate.
Tips
Use with specific adjectives
Pair it with '精神的' (mental) or '肉体的' (physical) to be precise. This helps the listener understand exactly what kind of suffering you are describing.
Avoid overuse in casual speech
Because '苦痛' sounds quite serious, using it for minor inconveniences can sound overly dramatic. Use '面倒' or 'つらい' for lighter situations.
Legal and social weight
In Japanese society, the term '精神的苦痛' is frequently used in formal legal contexts regarding compensation for emotional distress. It carries significant weight in professional settings.
Word Origin
Derived from the characters 苦 (suffering/bitter) and 痛 (pain). It combines the concept of bitterness or hardship with physical pain.
Cultural Context
The term is central to the concept of '精神的苦痛' in Japanese law, which is a key factor in civil litigation for personal injury or harassment. It reflects the cultural importance of acknowledging emotional harm alongside physical injury.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Kutsu' (shoe) + 'Tsu' (pain). It feels like wearing tight shoes that cause you constant agony.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions「痛み」は主に身体的な感覚を指しますが、「苦痛」は身体的な痛みと精神的な悩みの両方を含みます。また、「苦痛」の方がより深刻で重い響きがあります。
はい、非常によく使われます。「精神的苦痛」という表現は、ストレスや悲しみ、トラウマなどを指す標準的な言い方です。
はい、正しいです。「〜するのは苦痛だ」と言うことで、その行為をすることが非常に嫌でつらいという気持ちを強調できます。
状況によりますが、快楽や喜びを意味する「快楽」や、安らぎを意味する「安楽」などが対義的な概念として挙げられます。
Test Yourself
長時間の正座は、私にとって大きな___だった。
正座が苦手な人にとって、それは耐えがたいつらさであるため「苦痛」が適切です。
どれが正しいですか？
「苦痛だ」は「～することがつらい」という意味で自然な使い方です。
（伴う / 手術は / 苦痛を / 多少の）
「～を伴う」というコロケーションが正しく構成されています。
Score: /3
Summary
It describes a state of intense suffering, whether physical or psychological, that is difficult to endure.
- Refers to intense physical pain or deep emotional suffering.
- Used in both formal and everyday contexts for unpleasant experiences.
- Often combined with verbs like feel, endure, or cause.
Use with specific adjectives
Pair it with '精神的' (mental) or '肉体的' (physical) to be precise. This helps the listener understand exactly what kind of suffering you are describing.
Avoid overuse in casual speech
Because '苦痛' sounds quite serious, using it for minor inconveniences can sound overly dramatic. Use '面倒' or 'つらい' for lighter situations.
Legal and social weight
In Japanese society, the term '精神的苦痛' is frequently used in formal legal contexts regarding compensation for emotional distress. It carries significant weight in professional settings.
Examples
4 of 4その病気は激しい苦痛を伴う。
The illness is accompanied by intense pain.
精神的苦痛に対する損害賠償を求める。
I am seeking damages for emotional distress.
毎日満員電車に乗るのは苦痛だ。
Riding a crowded train every day is agonizing.
被験者は実験中に強い苦痛を感じたと報告した。
The subjects reported feeling strong distress during the experiment.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.
