慈しむ

• Reading: いつくしむ
• Romaji: itsukushimu
• Kanji breakdown: 慈 (ji/itsu) — compassion, mercy, love
• Pronunciation: /i.t͡sɯ.kɯ.ɕi.mɯ/

Meaning

To love; to cherish; to show compassion. Implies tender, nurturing affection directed toward the vulnerable or precious.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated on the -m stem. Distinguished from 愛する (to love) by its overtone of gentle protectiveness and care for someone or something fragile. Common in literary and formal contexts, particularly when describing parental love, reverence for nature, or compassion for the less fortunate. Rarely used in casual conversation.

Examples

1. 彼女は孤児院の子供たちを我が子のように慈しんだ。 She cherished the children at the orphanage as if they were her own.
2. 老人は長年育てた盆栽を慈しむように手入れした。 The old man lovingly tended to the bonsai trees he had raised for many years.
3. 自分を慈しむことを知らなければ、他者をも大切にできない。 If you don't know how to cherish yourself, you can't truly care for others either.

Usage Guide

Context: family, literature, religion, nature

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Derived from Old Japanese 慈 (itsu/ji), meaning compassion or mercy, related to Buddhist concepts of loving-kindness (慈悲, jihi). The む ending is a classical verb-forming suffix indicating habitual or earnest action.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal