1.
to suffer, to be in pain
To experience physical or emotional distress.
病気で苦しむ。
To suffer from illness.
苦しんでいる人を助ける。
To help people who are suffering.
頭痛に苦しんでいる。
I'm suffering from a headache.
2.
to struggle, to have difficulty
To face hardship or trouble.
借金に苦しむ。
To struggle with debt.
お金に苦しむ。
To struggle with money.
人手不足に苦しんでいる会社が多い。
Many companies are struggling with a labor shortage.
苦しむ means to suffer, struggle, or be in distress—physically or mentally.
TRANSITIVITY:
Intransitive verb (no object taken).
CONJUGATION (godan む-verb):
- 苦しまない (negative)
- 苦しみます (polite)
- 苦しんだ (past)
- 苦しんで (te-form)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- Xに苦しむ: to suffer from X
- Xで苦しむ: to suffer due to X
- 病気に苦しむ: to suffer from illness
- 借金に苦しむ: to struggle with debt
- 貧困に苦しむ: to suffer from poverty
RELATED WORDS:
- 苦しい: painful, difficult, agonizing
- 苦しみ: suffering, pain, agony (noun)
- 苦労する: to have a hard time, struggle
- 悩む: to worry, be troubled
NUANCE:
苦しむ emphasizes ongoing suffering or distress, while 悩む focuses more on mental worry or concern.