Translation guide
To cause pain, suffering, or trouble. In Japanese, this is often expressed with verbs like 苦しめる (torment), 悩ませる (cause worry), or specific terms for diseases/conditions. The choice depends on what is causing the affliction and who is affected.
To torment, cause distress, or make someone suffer.
Transitive verb meaning 'to torment' or 'to cause suffering'. Used for both physical and mental pain.
その病気は彼を長い間苦しめた。
The illness afflicted him for a long time.
罪悪感が彼女を苦しめている。
Guilt is afflicting her.
Causative form of 悩む (to worry), meaning 'to cause worry/trouble'. Often used for mental or emotional afflictions.
将来のことが彼を悩ませている。
Thoughts of the future are afflicting him.
Literary/formal verb meaning 'to torment' or 'to rack'. Often used for guilt, doubt, or chronic pain.
後悔の念が彼をさいなんだ。
Regret afflicted him.
To suffer from a specific illness or medical problem.
Passive form meaning 'to be troubled/afflicted by'. Commonly used for chronic conditions, allergies, etc.
彼は花粉症に悩まされている。
He is afflicted with hay fever.
その地域は干ばつに悩まされている。
The region is afflicted by drought.
Formal/literary verb meaning 'to suffer from (an illness)'. Often used in written contexts.
彼は長年、心臓病を患っている。
He has been afflicted with heart disease for many years.
Means 'to attack' or 'to afflict' when used for diseases. Often in passive form.
To bring difficulties, problems, or misfortune.
Also used for non-medical troubles like poverty, war, etc.
戦争は多くの人々を苦しめた。
The war afflicted many people.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to suffer from'. Focuses on the experience of the afflicted.
その国は貧困に苦しんでいる。
The country is afflicted by poverty.
苦しめる is stronger and covers physical/mental torment. 悩ませる is specifically for causing worry or mental distress. Use 苦しめる for serious afflictions like disease or war; use 悩ませる for everyday worries or anxieties.
騒音が住民を悩ませている。
The noise is afflicting the residents (causing them worry/stress).
English often uses 'afflicted with [condition]'. In Japanese, use ～に悩まされる or ～を患う, not a direct translation of 'with'. For example, 'afflicted with arthritis' → 関節炎に悩まされている, not 関節炎で苦しめられる (which sounds unnatural).
He was afflicted by an unknown disease.