synonym Comparative
萎える
VS
痛痒
Differences Between "萎える" and "痛痒"
Option A
萎える
Meaning
to lose spirit/vigor; to feel discouraged/enervated; to wilt (of plants)
Reading
なえる (naeru)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
彼のやる気のなさそうな顔を見て、私まで気が萎えてしまった。
Seeing his unmotivated face, even my own spirit withered.
Option B
痛痒
Meaning
pain and itchiness; (often used metaphorically in the negative: 痛痒を感じない - feel no pain, be unaffected, not care)
Reading
つうよう (tsūyō)
Syllabus Level
N1
Practical Example
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.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(to lose spirit/vigor; to feel discouraged/enervated; to wilt (of plants))"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 萎える: This verb describes a state of losing strength, energy, or motivation, often due to disappointment, fatigue, or despair. It can refer to a person's spirit/willpower or a plant physically wilting. 「意欲が萎える」「気力が萎える」「花が萎える」のように使われます。
- 痛痒: 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.
- 萎える: This verb describes a state of losing strength, energy, or motivation, often due to disappointment, fatigue, or despair. It can refer to a person's spirit/willpower or a plant physically wilting. 「意欲が萎える」「気力が萎える」「花が萎える」のように使われます。
- 痛痒: 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.
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