Translation guide
To cause pain, suffering, or trouble. In Japanese, this is often expressed with verbs like 苦しめる (torment), 悩ませる (cause worry), or specific terms for diseases/conditions. The choice depends on what is causing the affliction and who is affected.
To torment, cause distress, or make someone suffer.
Transitive verb meaning 'to torment' or 'to cause suffering'. Used for both physical and mental pain.
The illness afflicted him for a long time.
Guilt is afflicting her.
Causative form of 悩む (to worry), meaning 'to cause worry/trouble'. Often used for mental or emotional afflictions.
Thoughts of the future are afflicting him.
Literary/formal verb meaning 'to torment' or 'to rack'. Often used for guilt, doubt, or chronic pain.
Regret afflicted him.
To suffer from a specific illness or medical problem.
Passive form meaning 'to be troubled/afflicted by'. Commonly used for chronic conditions, allergies, etc.
He is afflicted with hay fever.
The region is afflicted by drought.
Formal/literary verb meaning 'to suffer from (an illness)'. Often used in written contexts.
Means 'to attack' or 'to afflict' when used for diseases. Often in passive form.
To bring difficulties, problems, or misfortune.
苦しめる is stronger and covers physical/mental torment. 悩ませる is specifically for causing worry or mental distress. Use 苦しめる for serious afflictions like disease or war; use 悩ませる for everyday worries or anxieties.
The noise is afflicting the residents (causing them worry/stress).
English often uses 'afflicted with [condition]'. In Japanese, use ～に悩まされる or ～を患う, not a direct translation of 'with'. For example, 'afflicted with arthritis' → 関節炎に悩まされている, not 関節炎で苦しめられる (which sounds unnatural).
He has been afflicted with heart disease for many years.
He was afflicted by an unknown disease.