治す
naosu[na̠o̞sɨ]
The English phrase 'heal' can be translated into Japanese as 治す (naosu) or 癒す.
Meaning: make better (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 治す | naosu | [na̠o̞sɨ] (narrow) |
| 癒す | iyasu | [ija̠sɨ] (narrow) |
Both forms can be used to describe physical, emotional or spiritual healing. However, they are often distinguished by the type of healing being performed.
Which one should you use?
Use 治す (naosu) when you are specifically referring to curing a physical disease, an injury or a medical condition. Use 癒す (iyasu) when referring to healing emotional wounds, soothing the soul or providing comfort and relaxation.
How do you pronounce it?
naosu
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse 治す (naosu – to cure) with its homophone 直す (naosu), which means to fix or repair a broken object.
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture, 'healing characters' known as 癒やし系 (iyashi-kei) are celebrities or fictional figures whose primary appeal is their ability to make others feel calm and relaxed.
- The kanji 治 in 治す is also used in words related to government and administration, such as 政治 (politics), linking the idea of 'healing' to 'bringing order'.
- While 治す (naosu) can mean to cure a disease, it is also the standard way to say you are 'fixing' a mistake or 'correcting' a wrong answer in a classroom.
Examples in context
- 民主党が大勝利を納めたが、我々の前進を疎外してきた分断を癒す決断と謙虚さをもって我々は対処しなければならない。While the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.This sentence shows how 癒す can be used to describe healing divides or social fractures.Tatoeba #330785 by sugisaki, translation #330512 by sugisaki
- 私の病気は医師の手によって癒されました。My illness was healed by the doctor's hands.
- 私たちの心は音楽によって癒される。Our hearts are healed by music.
- 彼は素晴らしい友達で、いつも私を癒してくれる。He is a wonderful friend who always comforts me.
- この温泉は疲れを癒してくれる。This hot spring will heal your fatigue.
- 医者が怪我を治す。Isha ga kega o naosu.A doctor heals an injury.
Example conversation
Kenta is talking to Misaki about her injury.
- 健太 Kenta美咲さん、怪我はどうですか？Misaki-san, kega wa dō desu ka?Misaki, how is your injury?
- 美咲 Misakiまだ痛いけど、少しずつ良くなっています。Mada itai kedo, sukoshizutsu yoku natte imasu.It still hurts, but it's getting better little by little.
- 健太 Kenta早く治すために、ゆっくり休んでね。Hayaku naosu tame ni, yukkuri yasunde ne.Rest well so you can heal quickly.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう、健太さん。Arigatō, Kenta-san.Thank you, Kenta.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “heal” translations and entries 治す, 癒す, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
