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B1 verb Neutral #6,000 most common 3 min read

恨む

/u.ɾa.mɯ/
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Overview

The Japanese verb '恨む' (uramu) is a transitive verb that conveys a strong sense of negative emotion towards someone or something. It translates most commonly to 'to resent,' 'to bear a grudge against,' 'to harbor ill feelings,' or 'to curse.' The nuances of '恨む' are quite profound, often suggesting a deep-seated and persistent negative sentiment that goes beyond momentary anger or frustration.

At its core, '恨む' implies that the subject feels wronged or harmed by the object of their resentment. This harm can be physical, emotional, or reputational. The feeling of '恨む' is typically not fleeting; it can fester over time, becoming a significant emotional burden for the person experiencing it. It often involves a sense of injustice, where the resenter believes they have been unfairly treated or that a grave wrong has been committed against them.

Grammatically, '恨む' usually takes an object marked by the particle 'を' (o). For example, '彼を恨む' (kare o uramu) means 'to resent him.' It can also be used with the particle 'に' (ni) to indicate the source or reason for the resentment, though this is less common for directly targeting a person. For instance, '運命を恨む' (unmei o uramu) means 'to curse one's fate' or 'to resent one's destiny,' highlighting a feeling of being wronged by circumstances rather than a specific individual.

While '恨む' can sometimes be translated as 'to hate,' it's important to differentiate it from '憎む' (nikumu), which generally implies a more intense and often active form of hatred. '恨む' is more about holding onto past grievances and the pain they caused, leading to a lingering bitterness. It's a more passive but deeply ingrained emotion compared to the active animosity of '憎む.'

In Japanese culture, '恨む' can also be connected to concepts of '怨念' (onryō), which are vengeful spirits or grudges that linger after death due to unresolved grievances. This cultural context further emphasizes the deep and enduring nature of the emotion conveyed by '恨む.' It's a word that carries significant emotional weight and speaks to prolonged suffering caused by perceived injustices.

Using '恨む' in a sentence often implies a profound personal impact. For example, '彼女は裏切られたことを深く恨んだ' (kanojo wa uragirareta koto o fukaku uranda) means 'She deeply resented being betrayed.' This shows the emotional depth and the lasting nature of the feeling. It's not a casual or fleeting emotion but one that can profoundly affect an individual's state of mind and relationships.

Examples

1

彼は人を恨むようなことはしない。

General statement about a person's character

He would not resent anyone.

2

私は彼を恨むどころか、感謝している。

Expressing an opposite feeling to resentment

Far from resenting him, I am grateful to him.

3

貧しい人々は富める人々を恨むだろう。

Societal observation or generalization

Poor people would resent rich people.

4

運命を恨むより、今できることを考えよう。

Motivational or philosophical advice

Instead of resenting fate, let's think about what we can do now.

5

私は彼の裏切りを深く恨んでいる。

Expressing strong personal feeling about a specific event

I deeply resent his betrayal.

Common Collocations

人を恨む
恨みを抱く
恨みがましい
恨みを晴らす

Often Confused With

恨む vs w
80+ WORDS

Grammar Patterns

p1 p2 p3

How to Use It

Usage Notes

When using '恨む', it's typically followed by the particle 'を' (o) to indicate the object of resentment. For example, '彼を恨む' (kare o uramu) means 'to resent him.' It can also be used in more general contexts, such as '運命を恨む' (unmei o uramu), meaning 'to resent one's fate.' The nuance of '恨む' can range from a personal, almost internal feeling to a more outward expression of animosity, though the latter is less common in direct interaction. The past tense '恨んだ' (uranda) or the continuative form '恨んで' (urande) are often used to describe ongoing resentment. For instance, '私はずっと彼を恨んでいた' (watashi wa zutto kare o urandeita) means 'I had resented him for a long time.' It's important to distinguish '恨む' from milder negative emotions like '嫌い' (kirai, dislike) or '怒る' (okoru, to get angry), as '恨む' implies a more profound and enduring sense of grievance. It can be a strong word, so its usage should be considered carefully, often reserved for situations involving significant emotional impact.

Common Mistakes

Many learners confuse 恨む (uramu - to resent) with 妬む (netamu - to be jealous) or 憎む (nikumu - to hate). While all involve negative feelings, 恨む specifically implies holding a grudge or feeling resentment due to a past wrong, often with a sense of injustice. 妬む focuses on envy or jealousy, while 憎む is a more general and intense feeling of hatred. Using the wrong verb can subtly alter the nuance of the sentence.

Tips

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Nuance of '恨む'

'恨む' (uramu) carries a strong emotional weight, indicating a deep-seated feeling of resentment, bitterness, or grudge against someone or something. It's more intense than simply being angry or upset.
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Common Mistakes

Don't confuse '恨む' with '怒る' (okoru - to get angry). While anger can be part of resentment, '恨む' implies a prolonged and often unexpressed feeling of ill will, often stemming from perceived injustice or betrayal, rather than a transient burst of anger.
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Related Expressions

Related terms include '恨み' (urami - grudge, resentment, malice, bitterness), '恨み骨髄に徹す' (urami kotsuzui ni tessu - to feel bitter resentment to the bone), and '恨めしい' (urameshii - resentful, bitter, hateful, regrettable, deplorable).

Word Origin

The word 'uramu' (恨む) has ancient roots in the Japanese language, appearing in classical literature such as the Manyoshu (c. 8th century), which suggests its long-standing presence in the vocabulary. Its origin is thought to be related to the concept of 'ura' (裏), meaning 'inside' or 'hidden part,' which could metaphorically refer to the deep-seated, hidden feelings of resentment or bitterness. Another theory connects it to 'uru' (失る), meaning 'to lose,' implying that resentment arises from a sense of loss or injustice. Over centuries, its usage has consistently revolved around expressing strong negative emotions, specifically directed at someone for a perceived wrong or injury. The kanji '恨' itself combines the radical for 'heart' (心) with a phonetic component, further emphasizing the emotional core of the word. Historically, 'uramu' has been used in contexts ranging from personal grievances to larger societal complaints, reflecting its versatility in capturing different scales of resentment. Its semantic field overlaps with words like 'nikumu' (憎む - to hate) but 'uramu' often implies a more sustained and internal feeling of bitterness rather than outright aggressive hatred. The word's endurance in the language speaks to the universal human experience of holding grudges and feeling resentful. Its evolution has been gradual, maintaining its core meaning while adapting to various linguistic and social contexts throughout Japanese history.

Cultural Context

The Japanese word '恨む' (uramu) signifies a deep-seated feeling of resentment, bitterness, or bearing a grudge against someone or something. Unlike transient anger, '恨む' implies a persistent and often profound sense of injustice or betrayal that lingers over time. This feeling can stem from various situations, such as being wronged, humiliated, or experiencing a significant loss attributed to another's actions. In Japanese culture, openly expressing '恨む' might be considered inappropriate in many social contexts due to an emphasis on harmony (和, wa) and avoiding direct confrontation. However, the internal experience of '恨む' is widely understood and depicted in literature, film, and traditional narratives, often leading to themes of revenge, tragic fate, or prolonged suffering. The concept can also be tied to a sense of 'on' (恩, a favor or obligation) that has been unfulfilled or betrayed, turning gratitude into resentment. It often carries a heavier connotation than simply 'disliking' someone; it suggests a sustained emotional burden.

Memory Tip

The Kanji for 'to resent' (恨) looks like a heart (心) with a small, sharp knife (刂) piercing it, indicating a painful, grudge-holding feeling.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions
The Japanese word for 'To resent; to bear a grudge against' is '恨む' (uramu). This verb expresses a strong negative emotion towards someone or something, often stemming from a perceived wrong or injustice. It implies holding onto feelings of bitterness, animosity, and a desire for revenge or retribution. The kanji '恨' itself conveys the idea of resentment, grievance, or regret. When used, it can describe a deep-seated and persistent feeling rather than a fleeting emotion.
You can use '恨む' in various contexts. For example, 「彼は私を恨んでいる」 (Kare wa watashi o urande iru) means "He resents me." Another example could be 「運命を恨む」 (Unmei o uramu), which translates to "To resent one's fate." It's often used with the particle 'を' (o) to indicate the object of resentment. The nuance can range from a mild grievance to a profound and enduring hatred, depending on the context and the speaker's feelings.
While '恨む' is quite specific, some related terms exist, though they might carry slightly different nuances. For instance, '憎む' (nikumu) means "to hate," which is a stronger and more general form of dislike. '怒る' (okoru) means "to get angry," which is a more immediate and often temporary emotion. '悔やむ' (kuyamu) means "to regret," which focuses on past actions or outcomes. '恨む' uniquely emphasizes the long-term, lingering feeling of resentment.
In Japanese culture, while expressing strong negative emotions directly can sometimes be avoided, the concept of '恨む' is well-understood. It often appears in literature, historical narratives, and dramas to depict characters who hold grudges for various reasons, such as betrayal, loss, or injustice. The idea of '怨念' (onnen), which refers to a vengeful spirit or lingering resentment, is also a significant part of Japanese folklore and beliefs, highlighting the deep cultural roots of this emotion.

Test Yourself

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彼は私を___いる。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
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過去の失敗を___ても仕方がない。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
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私は彼の裏切りをずっと___いた。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Score: /3

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