Translation guide
To express the concept of 'torture' in Japanese, the most common and direct word is 拷問 (ごうもん), which refers to physical or psychological torture for interrogation or punishment. For extreme pain or suffering, 苦痛 (くつう) is used. In figurative or hyperbolic contexts, 苦しみ (くるしみ) or the verb 苦しめる (くるしめる) are natural. Be aware that 拷問 is a strong, specific term, while 苦痛 and 苦しみ are broader.
To refer to the act of inflicting severe pain for punishment, coercion, or sadistic pleasure.
The standard noun for torture. Can be used in legal, historical, or violent contexts.
彼は拷問を受けた。
He was tortured.
拷問は国際法で禁止されている。
Torture is prohibited under international law.
Common verb phrase meaning 'to torture someone' or 'to subject to torture'.
捕虜を拷問にかけた。
They tortured the prisoner of war.
Literary or historical term for torture or torment, often implying prolonged suffering.
To describe a state of intense pain or anguish, not necessarily inflicted by another person.
Refers to severe pain or suffering, both physical and mental. Can be used in medical or emotional contexts.
彼は激しい苦痛に苦しんでいる。
He is suffering from severe pain.
その記憶は彼女にとって苦痛だ。
That memory is torture for her.
General term for suffering, pain, or anguish. Less intense than 苦痛 but very common.
To express that a situation or experience is extremely difficult, boring, or painful in a non-literal sense.
Pattern meaning '~ is torture'. Used for unbearable situations.
この暑さは苦痛だ。
This heat is torture.
長い会議は苦痛だった。
The long meeting was torture.
Literally '~ is hell'. Stronger and more colloquial than 苦痛.
満員電車は地獄だ。
The packed train is torture.
To express the action of making someone experience extreme pain or distress.
Transitive verb meaning 'to torment' or 'to cause suffering'. Can be used for physical or mental pain.
彼は罪の意識に苦しめられた。
He was tortured by guilt.
その病気が彼を長い間苦しめた。
The illness tortured him for a long time.
To torment or torture, often used for mental anguish or persistent pain. More literary.
English often uses 'torture' as a verb (e.g., 'They tortured him'). In Japanese, the noun 拷問 is more common, and you typically use phrases like 拷問する or 拷問にかける. Simply saying 拷問する is grammatical but less natural than 拷問にかける in many contexts.
拷問 specifically refers to the act of torture for interrogation, punishment, or sadism. 苦痛 is the resulting pain or suffering. Use 拷問 for the act, and 苦痛 for the experience of pain.
He endured the torture.
彼の人生は苦しみに満ちていた。
His life was full of torture/suffering.
後悔が彼を苛んだ。
Regret tortured him.