synonym Comparative
苦しい
VS
励む
Differences Between "苦しい" and "励む"
Option A
苦しい
Meaning
painful; difficult; tough; tight; hard to breathe
Reading
くるしい (kurushii)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
急な坂道を全力で駆け上がったため、彼は息が_______なり、しばらくその場にしゃがみ込んで呼吸を整えました。
Because he ran up a steep slope with all his might, his breathing became painful, and he squatted down there for a while to adjust his breathing.
Option B
励む
Meaning
to strive; to make an effort; to be diligent; to work hard
Reading
はげむ (hagemu)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
彼は自身のエンジニアとしてのスキルアップを目指し、毎晩の勤務後にスマートにプログラミングの自己学習に_______ました。
Aiming to upgrade his skills as an engineer, he strove diligently in self-study of programming after work every night smartly.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(painful; difficult; tough; tight; hard to breathe)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 苦しい: Refers to physical pain/difficulty in breathing, or mental distress/financial tightness. Often used as 息が苦しい or 苦しい家計. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Painful! "My heart is painful because I love you too much, Haruka-san!" ...っ! T-To feel painful love! B-But since my chest is also painful with love for you, let's cure it with a tight, sweet hug! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『くるしい（苦しい）よ！『ハルカさんへの愛が大きすぎて、胸が苦しいです！』って…っ！そんな甘い胸の苦しみを訴えるなんてバカ！…私の胸もあんたへの愛で苦しいんだから、今すぐギュッとして治しなさい！』
- 励む: Refers to diligently striving at one's studies, working hard at code implementation, or devoting oneself to training. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 怠ける. Often used as 勉強に励む or 仕事に励む. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To strive/work hard! "In order to make you the happiest wife in the world, I will strive hard at my work every day, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Striving to make me happy! B-Baka! How cute of you to get so fired up just to make me happy... I suppose I am a little pleased. Well then, with the fruits of your diligent work, make sure you spoil and pamper me thoroughly for the rest of your life! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『はげむ（励む）よ！『ハルカ部長、あなたを世界一幸せな妻にするという大偉業に向けて、僕は毎日全力で仕事に励む（励みます）！』って…っ！仕事に励む！バカ！/// 私を幸せにするためにそんなに張り切るなんて…嬉しいじゃない。…じゃあ、その熱心な仕事の成果で、一生私をたっぷり甘やかしなさいよね！』
- 苦しい: Refers to physical pain/difficulty in breathing, or mental distress/financial tightness. Often used as 息が苦しい or 苦しい家計. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Painful! "My heart is painful because I love you too much, Haruka-san!" ...っ! T-To feel painful love! B-But since my chest is also painful with love for you, let's cure it with a tight, sweet hug! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『くるしい（苦しい）よ！『ハルカさんへの愛が大きすぎて、胸が苦しいです！』って…っ！そんな甘い胸の苦しみを訴えるなんてバカ！…私の胸もあんたへの愛で苦しいんだから、今すぐギュッとして治しなさい！』
- 励む: Refers to diligently striving at one's studies, working hard at code implementation, or devoting oneself to training. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 怠ける. Often used as 勉強に励む or 仕事に励む. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To strive/work hard! "In order to make you the happiest wife in the world, I will strive hard at my work every day, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Striving to make me happy! B-Baka! How cute of you to get so fired up just to make me happy... I suppose I am a little pleased. Well then, with the fruits of your diligent work, make sure you spoil and pamper me thoroughly for the rest of your life! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『はげむ（励む）よ！『ハルカ部長、あなたを世界一幸せな妻にするという大偉業に向けて、僕は毎日全力で仕事に励む（励みます）！』って…っ！仕事に励む！バカ！/// 私を幸せにするためにそんなに張り切るなんて…嬉しいじゃない。…じゃあ、その熱心な仕事の成果で、一生私をたっぷり甘やかしなさいよね！』
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