傷つける
kizutsukeru[kʲizɨt͡sɨ̥ke̞ɾɯ̟]
In Japanese, the verb for 'hurt' can be expressed as 傷つける (kizutsukeru) or 痛める.
Meaning: to cause physical pain and/or injury (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 傷つける | kizutsukeru | [kʲizɨt͡sɨ̥ke̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 痛める | itameru | [ita̠me̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
The term 傷つける is used when the focus is on causing physical injury, a wound or damage to someone or something. This word can also be used metaphorically to mean hurting someone's feelings or damaging their reputation. On the other hand, 痛める focuses on causing physical pain, discomfort or an ache, such as hurting one's stomach or back.
Which one should you use?
傷つける is the preferred choice when the intended meaning involves causing an actual injury or damage. In contrast, 痛める is used when the emphasis is on the sensation of pain or an ache.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
If you wish to say that something 'hurts' (as in a sensation), you can use the phrase が痛い.
How do you pronounce it?
kizutsukeru
Did you know?
- The verb 付ける in 傷つける literally means 'to attach' or 'to apply', implying that an injury is something 'applied' to a surface.
- The word 傷 (kizu) in 傷つける is the same word used for 'scars', meaning the act of hurting someone is linguistically tied to the permanent mark left behind.
- In Japanese, you can 'hurt' an inanimate object like a car or a building using 傷つける, which refers to causing scratches or structural damage.
Examples in context
- 傷つけるつもりはなかったんだ。I didn't mean to hurt you.The first sentence uses 傷つける to express an intention regarding hurting someone.Tatoeba #2740735 by tommy_san, translation #17044 by CK
- トムは誰も傷つけるつもりはなかった。Tom didn't mean to hurt anybody.The second sentence uses 傷つける to show that a person did not intend to hurt anyone.Tatoeba #1215045 by bunbuku, translation #1094690 by CK
- 傷つけられた人は人を傷つけるものだ。Hurt people hurt people.The third sentence uses 傷つける to express the idea that those who are hurt tend to hurt others.Tatoeba #5751854 by verbum, translation #418698 by Dorenda
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Himari and Hiroto are talking about a clumsy accident in the kitchen.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔、大丈夫？どこか傷つけるところあった？Hiroto, daijoubu? Dokoka kizutsukeru tokoro atta?Hiroto, are you okay? Did you hurt yourself anywhere?
- 大翔 Hiroto大丈夫だよ。指を少し傷つけただけだ。Daijoubu dayo. Yubi o sukoshi kizutsuketa dake da.I'm fine. I only hurt my finger a little.
- 陽葵 Himariごめんね、わざと傷つけるつもりはなかったの。Gomen ne, wazato kizutsukeru tsumori wa nakatta no.I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.
- 大翔 Hiroto気にしてないよ。本当に大丈夫だから。Ki ni shitenai yo. Hontou ni daijoubu dakara.I don't mind. I'm really okay.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hurt” translations and entries 傷つける, 痛める, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 傷つける, 痛める, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
