Translation guide
A personal grudge is a feeling of resentment or ill will toward a specific person, often due to a past offense. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through nouns, verbs, and idiomatic phrases that emphasize the personal, emotional nature of the resentment.
Expressing a general feeling of resentment or ill will toward someone due to a past wrong.
The most common and direct word for a grudge or resentment. It can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
彼は私に恨みを持っているようだ。
He seems to hold a grudge against me.
恨みを晴らすために復讐を考えた。
I thought about revenge to settle the grudge.
A more formal or literary term for a personal grudge, often used in serious or historical contexts.
その争いは私怨から始まった。
The conflict started from a personal grudge.
A deep-seated, lingering grudge, often from a past event. Used in historical or dramatic contexts.
両家の間には深い遺恨がある。
There is a deep grudge between the two families.
Describing the act of holding or bearing a grudge against someone.
Literally 'to harbor a grudge'. A common and natural way to say you hold resentment.
彼女は元彼に恨みを抱いている。
She holds a grudge against her ex-boyfriend.
An idiomatic phrase meaning to hold a grudge or bear a grudge, often implying pettiness or long-lasting resentment.
彼は小さなことをいつまでも根に持つ。
He holds a grudge over small things forever.
そんな昔のことをまだ根に持ってるの？
Are you still holding a grudge about something that old?
The verb form meaning 'to resent' or 'to bear a grudge'. Often used in emotional contexts.
Expressing the idea of resolving or getting revenge for a grudge.
Literally 'to clear a grudge', meaning to get revenge or settle a score.
彼は恨みを晴らす機会を狙っている。
He's waiting for a chance to settle the grudge.
Means 'to get revenge' or 'to pay back', often used for personal grudges.
あいつに仕返しをしてやる。
I'll get revenge on that guy.
恨み is a noun for the grudge itself, while 根に持つ is a verb phrase describing the act of holding onto resentment. 根に持つ often carries a nuance of being petty or unable to let go, whereas 恨み can be used for serious, deep-seated resentment.
Avoid directly translating 'personal grudge' as パーソナルな恨み or similar. Use the natural Japanese terms above. Also, 恨み is not used for minor annoyances; it implies a deeper emotional wound.
彼に対して個人的な恨みはない。
I don't hold any personal grudges against him.
あの出来事以来、彼女は私に恨みを抱いている。
She's been holding a grudge against me since that incident.
There's no point in holding a grudge against him.