Translation guide
The English word "misery" covers a range of negative states from deep unhappiness to physical suffering. In Japanese, the best choice depends on whether you mean emotional distress, a miserable situation, or physical pain. This guide helps you pick the right expression.
Expressing a state of great sadness, despair, or emotional suffering.
A general term for suffering, both emotional and physical. Often used for deep, ongoing misery.
彼は心の苦しみを誰にも話せなかった。
He couldn't tell anyone about his inner misery.
Unhappiness or misfortune. Less intense than 苦しみ, often used for a general state of being unhappy.
彼女は自分の不幸を嘆いた。
She lamented her misery.
Misery in the sense of a tragic, pitiful state. Often used for situations or conditions.
戦争の悲惨さを忘れてはいけない。
We must not forget the misery of war.
Melancholy, gloom. A more literary or psychological term for a depressed, miserable feeling.
憂鬱な気分が続いている。
A feeling of misery continues.
Describing circumstances that cause suffering, such as poverty, hardship, or a wretched state.
Used for tragic, wretched conditions. Common in news and formal contexts.
彼らは悲惨な生活を送っている。
They are living in misery.
A difficult situation, plight. Emphasizes the hardship rather than the emotional state.
Rock bottom. Used for the lowest point of misery, often in life circumstances.
Referring to intense physical suffering or discomfort.
Physical pain or agony. Often used in medical or serious contexts.
患者は激しい苦痛に耐えている。
The patient is enduring severe misery.
Can also refer to physical suffering, though it's broader.
Expressing the act of making someone miserable.
Transitive verb meaning to torment or cause suffering.
彼は周りの人を苦しめている。
He is causing misery to those around him.
To make someone go through a miserable experience.
戦争は多くの人を悲惨な目に遭わせた。
The war caused misery to many people.
苦しみ (kurushimi) is the most direct equivalent for deep, ongoing suffering, both emotional and physical. 悲惨 (hisan) emphasizes the tragic, pitiful nature of a situation and is often used in formal or written contexts. 不幸 (fukō) is a milder, more general term for unhappiness or misfortune.
Avoid directly translating 'misery' as ミザリー (mizarī) in Japanese; it is not commonly used and may not be understood. Use the appropriate Japanese word based on context.
He is in financial misery.
失業してどん底の生活を経験した。
After losing my job, I experienced a life of misery.
病気の苦しみから解放された。
He was released from the misery of illness.