Meaning and Usage
"恨む" (うらむ) means to feel resentment or bitterness toward someone or something, often because of a perceived wrong or injustice. It is a strong emotional word implying a lasting grudge or deep-seated resentment.
Common Contexts
This verb is often used when talking about personal feelings of blame or resentment, such as blaming others for failures or misfortunes. It can also describe holding a grudge over past events.
Collocations and Patterns
- 恨む人 (うらむひと): a person who holds a grudge
- 恨みを持つ (うらみをもつ): to harbor resentment
- 恨みを晴らす (うらみをはらす): to get revenge or clear a grudge
Register and Nuance
"恨む" is generally neutral in formality but carries a negative emotional tone. It is not used lightly and often implies a serious emotional burden. It is more common in written language or serious conversations than casual speech.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "恨む" with "嫌う" (きらう), which means "to dislike." "恨む" involves a stronger, more emotional resentment, often linked to blame or injustice, whereas "嫌う" is a milder dislike or aversion.