1.
anguish, agony, torment
Deep mental suffering and distress, especially when troubled by difficult problems, moral dilemmas, or situations with no clear solution. Implies prolonged inner turmoil.
懊悩する日々が続いた。
Days of anguish continued.
彼は選択に懊悩していた。
He was agonizing over the choice.
懊悩の末、決断を下した。
After much anguish, I made my decision.
作家としての懊悩が作品に現れている。
The anguish of being a writer is reflected in the work.
懊悩 describes deep, prolonged mental suffering - more literary and intense than simple worry or concern.
Usage:
- 懊悩する (to agonize, be in anguish)
- 懊悩の末 (after much anguish)
- 懊悩に苛まれる (to be tormented by anguish)
Characteristics:
- Literary/formal word
- Implies prolonged suffering, not momentary distress
- Often used in serious contexts (moral dilemmas, life decisions, creative struggles)
Related words:
- 苦悩: suffering, distress (more common)
- 煩悶: anguish, agony (similar)
- 悶々とする: to be troubled, tormented