苦痛

• Reading: くつう
• Romaji: kutsuu
• Kanji breakdown: 苦 (ku) — bitter, suffering; 痛 (tsuu) — pain, hurt
• Pronunciation: /kɯ.tsɯː/

Meaning

Pain; agony; suffering. Intense physical or mental distress.

A noun describing severe suffering, both physical and emotional. More intense and formal than 痛み (itami, pain). Often used in medical, literary, and philosophical contexts. Common expressions include 苦痛を感じる (to feel pain) and 苦痛に耐える (to endure suffering).

Examples

1. 長い間、腰の苦痛に耐えてきた。 I've endured back pain for a long time.
2. 一人で待つ時間は苦痛だった。 Waiting alone was agonizing.
3. 患者の苦痛を少しでも和らげたい。 I want to ease the patient's suffering even a little.

Usage Guide

Context: medical, literature, emotional expression

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Composed of 苦 (bitter, suffering) and 痛 (pain, hurt). Both kanji independently convey distress, and their combination emphasizes the depth and severity of the suffering.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal