How to say "pain" in Japanese

• 痛みいたみJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe usual word for pain as a physical sensation — an ache, soreness, or sharp hurt. It also extends to emotional pain and grief, so it fits most ordinary uses of 'pain'.
  ここにしつこい痛いたみがあります。↗

  I have a persistent pain here.
• 苦しみくるしみCommon
  nounPain as suffering: the state of being in anguish or distress, physical or emotional, rather than the raw sensation. Choose it when you want to stress that someone is suffering.
  私達わたしたちは他人たにんの苦くるしみに同情どうじょうするべきだ。↗

  We should feel for the pains of others.
• 苦痛くつうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA noun for pain as agony — intense suffering of body or mind. It reads as heavier and more severe than 痛み, fitting serious descriptions of anguish and distress.
  苦痛くつうで彼かれの顔かおが歪ゆがんでいる。↗

  His face is distorted by pain.
• 苦しめるくるしめるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbA verb, not a noun: to torment someone or inflict pain on them, physical or emotional. Use it when 'pain' is something done to a person rather than a feeling named.
• 苦渋くじゅうCommon
  suru verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveBitterness and anguished distress of the heart rather than physical pain; it lends a figurative, bitter nuance. For an ordinary ache or hurt it is seldom the word you want.
  だからまあ、学生がくせい会かいとしても苦渋くじゅうの決断けつだんてやつなんだ。わかってやってくれ。↗

  So, well, it's a bitter decision for the student council to make as well. Give 'em a break.

Use 「痛み」 for ordinary physical pain or aches, 「苦しみ」 and 苦痛 for suffering and intense anguish, 「苦しめる」 when 'pain' is a verb meaning to torment, and 苦渋 for bitter emotional distress.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 痛みいたみpain
• 苦しみくるしみpain
• 苦痛くつうpain
• 苦しめるくるしめるto torment
• 苦渋くじゅうbitterness
• 痛つうpain
• 苦くpain
• ペインpain
• 苦しさくるしさpain
• つらさpain
• 苦し紛れくるしまぎれ(out of) desperation
• 痛苦つうくanguish