Translation and Meaning of: 治る - naoru

The Japanese word 治る (なおる - naoru) is an essential verb for anyone learning the language, especially in contexts related to health and recovery. Its main meaning is "to heal" or "to recover," but it can also be used in situations where something is fixed or resolved. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of this word in everyday Japanese, as well as tips for memorizing it correctly.

If you have ever watched a medical anime or dorama, you have probably heard 治る being used to talk about illnesses or injuries. But this word goes beyond the medical context and can appear in everyday conversations. Here at Suki Nihongo, we aim to provide clear and practical explanations so that you can master Japanese naturally. Let's find out everything about 治る and how to use it correctly.

Meaning and usage of 治る

The verb 治る is often used to describe recovery from an illness, injury, or physical condition. For example, if someone asks "風邪は治った？" (かぜはなおった？ - kaze wa naotta?), it means "Has your cold gotten better?". The response can be "はい、治りました" (はい、なおりました - hai, naorimashita), which means "Yes, I am cured."

In addition to the medical context, 治る can also be used metaphorically. If a problem in a relationship or a complicated situation gets resolved, the Japanese may say "問題が治った" (もんだいがなおった - mondai ga naotta), indicating that the problem has been solved. However, it is important to note that, in these cases, the verb 直る (なおる - naoru) is often used, which has a different writing but the same pronunciation and a broader meaning related to repairs.

Origin and writing of the kanji 治

The kanji 治 is composed of the water radical (氵) and the component 台, which suggests the idea of control or governance. Historically, this character was associated with the concept of "govern" or "administer," as in 政治 (せいじ - seiji), which means "politics." Over time, its meaning evolved to include the notion of "heal," possibly due to the idea of bringing order to chaos, just as a ruler does with a territory.

It is interesting to note that 治る is one of the few verbs in Japanese that uses this specific kanji for the sense of healing. Other words related to medicine, such as 治療 (ちりょう - chiryou - medical treatment), also share this character. This helps to understand why 治る is strongly linked to the context of health, even though it may have other uses.

Tips for memorizing and using 治る correctly

An effective way to remember the meaning of 治る is to associate it with recovery situations. If you have ever been sick and got better, think about how you would say that in Japanese: "病気が治った" (びょうきがなおった - byouki ga naotta). This personal connection helps to reinforce the vocabulary in long-term memory.

Another tip is to pay attention to the kanji 治 when it appears in other words. For example, 治験 (ちけん - chiken) means "clinical trial," and 完治 (かんち - kanchi) means "complete recovery." By recognizing the pattern, it becomes easier to expand your medical vocabulary in Japanese without confusion.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 治る

• 治します polite way
• 治す neutral form
• 治れる potential form
• 治らない negative form
• 治れました past form

Synonyms and similar words

• 治癒する (Chiyu suru) - Heal, especially in a medical or emotional context.
• 癒える (Hieru) - Healing or recovery, usually in reference to wounds or illnesses.
• なおる (Naoru) - Recover, return to normal state; can be used for illnesses or problems.
• いやす (Iyasu) - Heal, comfort, or relieve pain.
• かいふくする (Kaifuku suru) - Recover or restore; used in physical or emotional contexts.
• げんきになる (Genki ni naru) - Staying healthy or energized implies a return to vitality.
• なおす (Naosu) - Fixing or restoring something, in addition to being used to recover health.
• たすける (Tasukeru) - Help or save; it may involve healing in a broad sense.
• なおりはじめる (Naori hajimeru) - Start to heal or recover.
• なおりひろがる (Naori hirogaru) - Healing expansion; refers to a recovery process that extends.

治る

Romaji: naoru
Kana: なおる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: be healed; heal; be fixed; stay well; repair

Meaning in English: to be cured;to heal;to get mended;to get well;to be repaired;to be fixed

Definition: To recover from an illness or injury.

Example Sentences - (治る) naoru

See below some example sentences:

私の病気は治るでしょうか？

Watashi no byouki wa naoru deshou ka?

Will my illness be healed?

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession or relationship between two things
• 病気 - Japanese noun meaning "disease"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 治る - Japanese verb that means "heal"
• でしょうか - Japanese expression that indicates a polite or uncertain question