Translation guide
The English word 'distress' covers a range of negative states: emotional suffering, physical pain, urgent danger, and financial trouble. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression based on the specific meaning.
Express deep emotional pain, worry, or anguish.
Refers to deep mental suffering or anguish, often used in serious contexts.
He is sunk in deep distress.
General term for suffering, pain, or distress, both physical and emotional.
It's hard to see her distress.
Heartache, mental distress, worry. Often used for personal concerns.
The news caused him great distress.
Grief, deep sorrow. More literary or formal.
He was overcome with distress.
Describe physical suffering or bodily discomfort.
Refer to a call for help in an emergency.
Express severe financial trouble or poverty.
Express that something causes emotional pain or worry.
Describe a person or thing that is in a distressed condition.
苦悩 (くのう) is deep mental anguish, often philosophical or existential. 苦しみ (くるしみ) is a broader term for suffering, both physical and emotional. 苦痛 (くつう) emphasizes physical pain but can also be used for mental pain in formal contexts.
In everyday conversation, English 'distress' often sounds too strong. Japanese equivalents like 苦悩 or 苦痛 can sound overly dramatic. For mild worry or trouble, use 困る (こまる) or 悩む (なやむ) instead.
腹部に痛みがあります。
I have distress in my abdomen.
Distress signal, call for rescue. Similar to 遭難信号.
A distress signal was picked up.
貧困にあえぐ人々を助けたい。
I want to help people in distress.
To be distressed, to grieve. Literally 'to hurt one's heart'.
She was distressed to hear that story.