悩
trouble, worry, in pain, distress, illness
Readings
On'yomi
- ノウ
Kun'yomi
- なや.む
- なや.ます
- なや.ましい
- なやみ
Meaning
悩 centers on mental or emotional distress: being troubled, worried, or in pain. The illness sense is a natural extension of this inner suffering.
Most common words using 悩
20 of 30- 悩むなやむN3
to be worried; to be troubled
- 悩みなやみN2
trouble; troubles; worry; distress; sorrows; anguish; agony; problem
- 悩ますなやますN1
to afflict; to torment; to harass; to molest
- 苦悩くのうN1
(mental) agony; anguish; suffering; distress
- 悩ましいなやましいN1
seductive; carnal; enchanting
- 煩悩ぼんのう
worldly desires; evil passions; appetites of the flesh
- 悩殺のうさつ
fascinate; bewitch; enchant
- 思い悩むおもいなやむ
to worry about; to be worried about; to fret about; to not know what to do; to be at a loss (as to what to do)
- 伸び悩むのびなやむ
to be sluggish; to make little progress; to show little growth; to fail to improve; to level off; to not grow as much as expected
- 悩み事なやみごと
matter causing distress; something causing worry
- 子煩悩こぼんのう
doting (on one's children); (overly) fond; indulgent; loving
- 恋の悩みこいのなやみ
pain of love; love troubles
- 悩ましげなやましげ
anxious (appearance); (appearing) uneasy
- 悩みに悩むなやみになやむ
to worry oneself sick
- 悩みの種なやみのたね
source of worry; source of distress
- 悩みを抱えるなやみをかかえる
to have troubles; to have concerns
- 悩めるなやめる
worried; troubled; afflicted
- 悩乱のうらん
worry; anguish
- 憂い悩むうれいなやむ
to be grievously troubled
- 懊悩おうのう
anguish; trouble; agony
Study
Etymology
悩 combines 忄 (heart/mind) with 凶, which likely contributes both sound and the idea of something ominous or distressing. The exact historical development of the top element is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The heart radical 忄 beside the ominous shape 凶 suggests a mind troubled by bad omens. Picture a worried heart weighed down by dark thoughts.
Reading mnemonic
For ノウ, imagine a troubled person saying 'No!' to their worries: 'No!' -> ノウ, as they try to push away the distress.