Meaning and Usage
The verb 病む (やむ) means "to fall ill" or "to be sick," often used in a somewhat literary or formal context. It can refer to physical illness, mental or emotional suffering, or even metaphorical afflictions like being "sick with love."
Common Contexts
- Physical illness: 病む is used to describe someone suffering from a disease or health condition, often serious or chronic.
- Mental or emotional suffering: It can describe psychological or emotional pain, such as depression or heartbreak.
- Figurative use: Sometimes used metaphorically to express being deeply troubled or obsessed with something.
Collocations and Patterns
- 心の病に病む (こころのやまにやむ): to suffer from a mental illness.
- 過労で体を病む (かろうでからだをやむ): to become ill due to overwork.
- 愛に病む (あいにやむ): to be sick with love.
Register and Nuance
病む is more formal and literary than the common 病気になる or 病気だ. It often appears in written language, novels, or serious discussions about health or emotional states.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 病む with やむ (止む), which means "to stop" (e.g., rain stopping). Pay attention to context and kanji to avoid confusion.