折磨

• Pinyin: zhé mó
• Hanzi breakdown: 折 = 扌+ 斤 (to torment); 磨 = 麻 + 石 (to grind)

Meaning

To torment; to torture; to agonize. To cause prolonged suffering or distress.

Can be physical or psychological. Used for chronic illness, emotional pain, difficult circumstances, or deliberate mistreatment. Implies prolonged suffering rather than momentary pain.

Examples

1. 这场慢性病折磨了他整整十年，让他痛苦不堪。 This chronic illness tormented him for a full ten years, leaving him in constant misery.
2. 失眠每天晚上都在折磨着她，让她身心俱疲。 Insomnia torments her every night, leaving her exhausted in body and mind.
3. 他被内心的愧疚感折磨得寝食难安。 He was so tormented by guilt that he couldn’t eat or sleep.

Usage Guide

Context: suffering, illness, emotions

Tone: empathetic

Do Say

• 贫困和疾病双重折磨着这个家庭。(Poverty and illness are both tormenting this family.)
• 这种精神上的折磨比身体上的痛苦更难以忍受。(This mental torment is harder to bear than physical pain.)

Don't Say

• 折磨痛苦 — redundant; 折磨 already implies suffering; say 折磨 or 遭受折磨

Origin & History

折 (to break/torment) + 磨 (to grind/wear down)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal