痛い
itai[ita̠i]
The Japanese phrase for "ow" is 痛い (itai).
痛い is a simple and commonly used word to convey pain or discomfort in an informal setting. It can be used as a standalone exclamation to express sudden physical pain, similar to 'ow' or 'ouch' in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can use 痛い as a standalone exclamation. Adding the particle よ to the end of 痛い makes the exclamation sound more like a direct statement or a complaint directed at someone. Additionally, 痛くてたまらない is used when the pain is intense or unbearable.
How do you pronounce it?
itai
Did you know?
- The word 痛い is an adjective, meaning that when a Japanese speaker screams 'ow', they are technically saying 'it is painful' rather than using a non-lexical grunt.
- Japanese has a specific term, 痛快 (tsūkai), which uses the character for 'pain' to mean 'exhilarating' or 'refreshing', describing a feeling of relief after a struggle.
- If someone describes a person as 痛い人 (itai hito), they are calling them 'cringe' or delusional about their own social status or talent.
Examples in context
- 痛い！ やめてよ！Ow! Stop it!This sentence shows how to use 痛い as a standalone exclamation.Tatoeba #4871813 by tommy_san, translation #4904159 by Shangri_La93
- 痛い痛い痛い！僕の耳かじらないでよ！Ow, ow, ow! Don't bite my ear!This sentence demonstrates repeating the exclamation to express repeated pain.Tatoeba #9641512 by Sim5634, translation #9665598 by DJ_Saidez
- 痛い！由紀子！痛いよ。グーで殴るのはよせよ！Ow! Yukiko! That hurts! Quit hitting me with your fists!This sentence shows using 痛い to express a complaint about being hit.Tatoeba #75863 by bunbuku, translation #327855 by CP
- 頭が痛む。I have a headache.
- 痛い！Ow!/That hurts!
- 手が痛いよ。My hand hurts.
- 歯が痛くてたまらない！My toothache is unbearable!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren accidentally steps on Yui's foot.
- 結衣 Yui痛い！Itai!Ow!
- 蓮 Renごめん！大丈夫？Gomen! Daijobu?Sorry! Are you okay?
- 結衣 Yui足を踏まれたよ。Ashi o fumareta yo.You stepped on my foot.
- 蓮 Ren本当にごめんね。Hontou ni gomen ne.I am really sorry.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 痛い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
