Meaning and Usage
The verb いじめる means "to bully" or "to torment" someone. It is commonly used to describe situations where a person causes harm or distress to another, often repeatedly or intentionally.
Common Contexts
This word is frequently used in school or workplace settings to talk about bullying behavior. It can refer to physical, verbal, or psychological abuse.
Collocations and Patterns
- いじめる + 人 (e.g., 友達をいじめる): to bully a person
- いじめられる (passive form): to be bullied
- いじめをやめる: to stop bullying
Register and Nuance
いじめる is a straightforward verb and is generally neutral in formality but carries a negative meaning due to the harmful behavior it describes. It is often used in everyday conversation, news reports, and discussions about social issues.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse いじめる with milder teasing verbs like からかう (to tease). However, いじめる implies more serious and harmful behavior, so use it carefully to avoid misunderstanding.