悩ます

• Reading: なやます
• Romaji: nayamasu
• Kanji breakdown: 悩 (naya/nou) — to worry, trouble, be distressed
• Pronunciation: /na.ja.ma.sɯ/

Meaning

To afflict; to torment; to trouble; to cause worry or distress to someone.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb. The causative counterpart of 悩む (to worry). While 悩む describes one's own worry, 悩ます describes causing worry or trouble to others. Often used in passive: 悩まされる (to be troubled by).

Examples

1. 花粉症が毎年多くの人を悩ませている。 Hay fever causes suffering for many people every year.
2. 解けない問題に悩まされた。 I was tormented by a problem I couldn't solve.
3. その謎は長年研究者たちを悩ましてきた。 That mystery has troubled researchers for many years.

Usage Guide

Context: health, academics, daily problems

Tone: concerned

Origin & History

Transitive form derived from 悩む (to worry). The kanji 悩 combines 忄(heart) with 脳 elements, connecting mental distress to the mind/heart.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal