Translation guide
The English word "agony" refers to intense physical or mental suffering. In Japanese, the most natural expressions depend on whether the pain is physical, emotional, or a drawn-out struggle. This guide covers common words and phrases for each nuance.
To describe severe, often sudden physical suffering.
Literally 'intense pain', this is the most direct and common word for severe physical agony, such as from an injury or medical condition.
He couldn't bear the agony and screamed.
A broader term for pain or suffering, both physical and mental. In physical contexts, it often implies prolonged agony.
The patient was in agony for a long time.
To writhe in agony. Vividly describes someone rolling around due to extreme pain.
He writhed in agony from a stomachache.
To express deep psychological suffering, such as grief, regret, or heartbreak.
The standard word for mental agony, anguish, or torment. Often used for inner struggles and emotional pain.
She is in deep agony.
Anguish or agony, often with a nuance of writhing emotionally. Can be used for love, jealousy, or existential pain.
A heart-wrenching feeling; literally 'a feeling as if one's chest is being torn apart'. Used for extreme emotional agony.
To describe a long, drawn-out period of hardship or torment.
General word for suffering, pain, or agony. Can be used for both physical and mental, but often implies a continuous state.
He was released from years of agony.
Torture or torment, both physical and psychological. Emphasizes the infliction of agony.
To convey a heightened, often rhetorical sense of agony in writing or speech.
A Buddhist term for the hell of incessant suffering; used figuratively for a scene of extreme agony and chaos.
The battlefield was a hell of agony.
Agony or anguish, often used in literary or psychological contexts. Similar to 苦悩 but more intense and dramatic.
苦痛 (くつう) is often physical pain, but can be mental. 苦悩 (くのう) is specifically mental anguish or torment. 苦しみ (くるしみ) is the most general and can cover both, often implying a prolonged state.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches all uses of 'agony'. Using 苦痛 for emotional pain may sound unnatural; use 苦悩 instead. For physical agony, 激痛 is best for sudden, sharp pain.
恋の悶えに苦しむ。
To suffer the agony of love.
Learning of his death, I felt heart-wrenching agony.
He couldn't endure the agony of his conscience.
Literally 'rolling seven times and falling eight times', meaning to writhe in agony. Often used for intense physical pain, but can be metaphorical for extreme distress.
He experienced excruciating agony.
An expression of agony appeared on his face.