Meaning and Usage
The verb 苦しむ (くるしむ) primarily means "to suffer" or "to be in pain," whether physically or emotionally. It can also express mental distress or worry. This word is often used to describe someone enduring hardship, illness, or emotional turmoil.
Common Contexts
- Physical pain or illness: 苦しむ is frequently used when talking about someone suffering from a disease or injury.
- Emotional or psychological suffering: It also applies to mental anguish, such as grief or anxiety.
- Worry or distress: Sometimes it describes being troubled by problems or difficult situations.
Collocations and Patterns
- 病気に苦しむ (びょうきにくるしむ): to suffer from an illness
- 心の痛みで苦しむ (こころのいたみでくるしむ): to suffer from emotional pain
- 苦しんでいる様子 (くるしんでいるようす): appearance of suffering
Register and Nuance
苦しむ is a neutral verb used in both spoken and written Japanese. It conveys a serious tone because it relates to suffering or hardship. It is not casual and is appropriate in formal and informal contexts when discussing pain or distress.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 苦しむ with 痛む (いたむ), which specifically means "to hurt" or "to ache." 苦しむ is broader and includes emotional suffering, while 痛む is more about physical pain. Use 苦しむ when referring to suffering in a general or emotional sense.