Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Pain" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "pain", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
苦痛
くつう (kutsuu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
痛痒
つうよう (tsūyō)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "pain" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 苦痛 and 痛痒.
In Japanese, 苦痛 (くつう (kutsuu)) is typically associated with "pain; agony; distress; suffering" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 精神的、肉体的な苦しみや痛みを表す言葉です。強い不快感や耐え難い状況で使われます。It expresses mental or physical suffering or pain. Used in situations of strong discomfort or unbearable conditions..
On the other hand, 痛痒 (つうよう (tsūyō)) maps to "pain and itchiness; (often used metaphorically in the negative: 痛痒を感じない - feel no pain, be unaffected, not care)" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Literally "pain and itch." Most commonly used in the negative form「痛痒を感じない」to mean feeling no effect or not caring about criticism, damage, or others' suffering. It emphasizes a lack of sensitivity or concern.. A literal translation of "pain" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "苦痛"
彼は失恋の苦痛からなかなか立ち直れなかった。
He couldn't easily recover from the pain of heartbreak.
Bilingual Context for "痛痒"
彼はどんな非難にも痛痒を感じないかのように振る舞った。
He behaved as if he felt no pain from any criticism.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は失恋の ＿＿＿ からなかなか立ち直れなかった。" (Meaning: "He couldn't easily recover from the pain of heartbreak.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "苦痛" fits here because it means "pain; agony; distress; suffering" in the context of: "He couldn't easily recover from the pain of heartbreak.". "痛痒" represents "pain and itchiness; (often used metaphorically in the negative: 痛痒を感じない - feel no pain, be unaffected, not care)".