Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Worry" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "worry", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
悩み
なやみ (nayami)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
なやむ
なやむ (nayamu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "worry" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 悩み and なやむ.
In Japanese, 悩み (なやみ (nayami)) is typically associated with "worry; trouble; concern" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A personal problem or source of anxiety that one struggles with. It's the noun form of 悩む.
On the other hand, なやむ (なやむ (nayamu)) maps to "to worry, to be troubled, to be distressed" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Intransitive verb. Describes experiencing mental distress, anxiety, or difficulty in making a decision. Often followed by 〜に悩む. A literal translation of "worry" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "悩み"
彼は仕事の悩みがあるようです。
He seems to have worries about his job.
Bilingual Context for "なやむ"
彼は仕事のことで深く悩んでいる。
He is deeply troubled by his work.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は仕事の ＿＿＿ があるようです。" (Meaning: "He seems to have worries about his job.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "悩み" fits here because it means "worry; trouble; concern" in the context of: "He seems to have worries about his job.". "なやむ" represents "to worry, to be troubled, to be distressed".