(いた)める

いためる
verb (ichidan)
to damage, to hurt, to spoil
1. to damage, to hurt
To cause injury or harm to something.
()(いた)める。
To damage one's stomach.
()みすぎて肝臓(かんぞう)(いた)めた。
I damaged my liver from drinking too much.
無理(むり)運動(うんどう)をして(ひざ)(いた)めてしまった。
I hurt my knee by exercising too hard.
毎日(まいにち)(から)いものを()べていたら()(いた)めるから、()をつけて。
If you eat spicy food every day, you'll damage your stomach, so be careful.
2. to spoil
To cause food to go bad.
野菜(やさい)(いた)めないように保存(ほぞん)する。
Store vegetables so they don't spoil.
果物(くだもの)(あつ)いところに()くと(いた)めやすい。
Fruit is easy to spoil if you leave it in a hot place.

(いた)める is a transitive verb meaning to damage, hurt, or cause harm to something.

TRANSITIVITY:

  • Type: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive)
  • Pair: (いた)む (intransitive, to be damaged/spoiled)

HOMOPHONE WARNING:

  • (いた)める: to damage, hurt, spoil
  • (いた)める: to stir-fry (cooking)

These sound identical but have completely different meanings.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • ()(いた)める: to damage one's stomach
  • (かみ)(いた)める: to damage hair
  • 野菜(やさい)(いた)めない: not spoil vegetables
  • (こころ)(いた)める: to hurt someone's feelings

USAGE:
Often used for gradual damage from overuse, stress, or improper care.