治る

• Reading: なおる
• Romaji: naoru
• Kanji breakdown: 治 (chi/ji/nao) — govern, cure, heal
• Pronunciation: /na.o.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To get better; to be cured; to recover from illness. Describes the process of healing.

A Group 1 (godan) verb. Intransitive — the illness or injury heals on its own. The transitive pair is 治す (naosu, to cure/fix). Also written as 直る when referring to things being fixed rather than medical recovery.

Examples

1. 風邪が治ったので、学校に行けます。 My cold is better now, so I can go to school.
2. この薬を飲めば早く治りますよ。 If you take this medicine, you'll get better quickly.
3. 手の怪我はまだ治っていない。 The injury on my hand still hasn't healed.

Usage Guide

Context: health, hospital, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 治 means 'govern' or 'cure,' originally referring to putting things in proper order. The medical healing sense developed from restoring the body to its proper state.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal