1.
to hurt; to injure (a body part)
To cause physical injury or pain to a part of the body, especially through strain or overuse.
腰を痛めた。
I hurt my back.
走りすぎて膝を痛めてしまった。
I injured my knee from running too much.
無理な姿勢で仕事を続けたせいで、肩を痛めてしまった。
I ended up hurting my shoulder from continuing to work in an awkward position.
2.
to trouble; to worry; to agonize over
To cause mental or emotional distress. Used in the set expression 頭を痛める (to worry over something) and 心を痛める (to be pained by something).
頭を痛める問題だ。
It's a problem that gives me a headache.
子供の将来のことで頭を痛めている。
I'm worrying over my child's future.
被災者のニュースを見て心を痛めた人は多いだろう。
Many people must have been saddened by the news about the disaster victims.
USAGE:
An ichidan (一段) transitive verb. Takes を to mark the body part or abstract thing being hurt.
KANJI DISTINCTION:
- 痛める: to hurt, to injure (physical pain or emotional distress)
- 傷める: to damage, to wound, to spoil (physical damage to objects or food)
- 炒める: to stir-fry (cooking)
All three are pronounced いためる but have different meanings and kanji.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 腰を痛める: to hurt one's back
- 膝を痛める: to injure one's knee
- 頭を痛める: to worry, to agonize
- 心を痛める: to be pained, to feel sorrow
- 胃を痛める: to upset one's stomach (from stress)