1.
lingering resentment; emotional barrier; hard feelings
An unresolved negative feeling that remains in one's heart, such as bitterness, distrust, or discomfort. Often describes the emotional residue from a past conflict or misunderstanding.
Describes an emotional knot or barrier lodged in the heart — something unresolved that prevents full reconciliation or ease. The word has a somewhat literary or mature tone and is common in discussions of interpersonal relationships and emotional processing.
Common collocations
- わだかまりが残る: hard feelings remain
- わだかまりが解ける: resentment dissolves
- わだかまりが消える: hard feelings disappear
- わだかまりを感じる: to feel lingering discomfort
- 心のわだかまり: an emotional knot in one's heart
Usage
Often used with verbs describing dissolution or removal, reflecting the common desire to clear away such feelings. The word itself is always written in hiragana.
Similar words
- 蟠り: same word in kanji (rarely used)
- 遺恨: grudge, lingering enmity — stronger and more bitter than わだかまり
- しこり: lingering tension, emotional lump — similar nuance but slightly more physical/concrete
Related Words
Compare:
遺恨 (grudge, lingering enmity)