いたわる

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

treat kindly; sympathize with; console

Used for showing gentle consideration toward someone who is weak, troubled, sad, or in a difficult position. It often implies kindness rather than mere pity.

• 彼かの女じょは落おち込こんでいる友ゆう人じんをそっといたわった。

  She gently comforted her friend who was feeling down.

• お年とし寄よりをいたわる気き持もちを忘わすれないでください。

  Please do not forget to be considerate toward elderly people.

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

care for; nurse; go easy on

Often used with one's body, an injury, or a weakened person: to treat gently, rest, protect, or nurse back to health.

• 疲つかれた体からだをいたわって、今日きょうは早はやめに寝ねた。

  I took care of my tired body and went to bed early today.

• 痛いたむ膝ひざをいたわりながら、ゆっくり歩あるいた。

  I walked slowly while taking care not to strain my aching knee.

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

appreciate someone's efforts; recognize someone's hard work; reward for service

Used to acknowledge and kindly reward someone's toil or service. In modern everyday Japanese, ねぎらう is often the more direct word for this idea, while いたわる keeps a nuance of sympathetic consideration.

• 会かい社しゃは長なが年ねんの労ろうをいたわって、退たい職しょく者しゃに記き念ねん品ひんを贈おくった。

  The company gave commemorative gifts to the retirees in appreciation of their many years of service.