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Words Kanji Guides About

悶える (もだえる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

悶もだえる

も

だ

え

る

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

writhe in pain; be in agony

Describes physical writhing or twisting of the body due to intense pain or suffering.

彼かれは腹ふく痛つうで床ゆかに悶もだえていた。
He was writhing on the floor with a stomachache.

2

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

be anguished; be agonized; be troubled

Refers to mental or emotional anguish, worry, or torment, often with a sense of inner turmoil.

将しょう来らいのことで悶もだえる日ひ々びが続つづいた。
Days of agonizing over the future continued.

Written forms

悶もだえるUsage79%
Standard kanji spelling; the kanji 悶 is not a Jōyō kanji but is commonly used for this word.
もだえるUsage21%
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the kanji is considered difficult or less familiar.

Kanji

悶be in agony, worry

Similar words

苦くるしむ
苦しむ is a broader term for suffering physically or mentally, while 悶える emphasizes visible writhing or intense inner turmoil.
もがく
もがく means to struggle or flail physically, often to escape, whereas 悶える focuses on writhing from pain or anguish.

Etymology

The kanji 悶 combines 門 (gate) and 心 (heart), suggesting a heart confined or distressed. The reading もだえる is of native Japanese origin, likely related to the mimetic root もだ (distress, agony).