Translation guide
The English word 'harrow' can refer to a farming tool or the act of using it, but it is also used figuratively to mean causing distress or torment. This guide covers both the literal agricultural sense and the figurative emotional sense, with natural Japanese equivalents.
To refer to the farming implement used to break up and smooth soil, or the act of using it.
To express that something causes mental anguish, distress, or torment, similar to 'harrowing' experiences.
There is no direct single Japanese verb that perfectly matches the figurative 'harrow'. Use verbs like 苦しめる or さいなむ, or descriptive phrases like 心をかき乱す. Avoid literal translations like まぐわで耕す for emotional contexts.
The farmer used a harrow to level the field.
Katakana loanword from English, used in agricultural contexts. Often refers to modern tractor-drawn harrows.
They attached a harrow to the tractor and tilled the soil.
The verb phrase meaning 'to harrow' (to use a harrow on a field).
Before sowing seeds, they harrowed the field.
A more technical term for a soil pulverizer or harrow, literally 'soil crushing machine'. Rare in everyday speech.
They broke up the soil with a harrow.
Transitive verb meaning 'to torment' or 'to cause suffering'. Can be used for emotional pain.
That memory still harrows him.
Verb meaning 'to torment' or 'to torture', often used for persistent emotional pain or guilt.
Guilt harrowed her.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'to disturb one's heart/mind', conveying emotional turmoil.
The news harrowed his mind.
Causative form meaning 'to cause anguish'. More formal and less common in everyday speech.
The sight harrowed the viewers.
The movie had a very harrowing content.