Translation and Meaning of: 労る - itawaru

If you've ever wondered how to express genuine care in Japanese, the word 労る [いたわる] is a gem that deserves attention. Meaning "to pity," "to console," or "to be kind to," it carries a nuance of deep empathy, almost like a verbal hug. In this article, we will explore its etymology, the intriguing pictogram of the kanji 労, and how the Japanese use it in their daily life — from everyday conversations to formal speeches. And if you use Anki or another spaced repetition method, get ready for practical phrases that will supercharge your studies!

The Kanji 労 and Its Curious Origin

The heart of 労る is in the kanji 労, which on its own tells a story. Composed of the radical 力 (strength) and 灬 (the reduced form of fire), it originally represented physical effort — imagine the sweat of someone working under the sun. Over time, it gained more subtle layers: today, in addition to "hard work" (労働), it also conveys the idea of "relieving" someone else's fatigue. Isn't it poetic? The writing of the kanji, with its firm strokes, almost looks like a hand caressing someone's back.

In the Heian era, the verb いたわる emerged related to caring for the sick, but it was in the Edo period that it gained its current emotional meaning. A classic example is its use in haikus about compassion for the elderly — ancient Japanese already understood that "労る" goes beyond words, it is a gesture that warms the soul.

When the Japanese Use 労る in Daily Life

In Tokyo, you will hear 労る in situations as simple as a colleague offering tea to someone who worked late, or as profound as a speech about supporting disaster victims. The key here is the intention: unlike 助ける (to help), which is practical, いたわる carries a "I see your effort.” Japanese companies even use the term in leadership training — a boss who 労る their team earns genuine loyalty.

But be careful: there are cultural traps. Using 労る with strangers can come off as paternalistic. The golden rule? Save it for close people or in contexts of clear hierarchy (like a teacher with students). A bonus tip: combine it with お疲れ様 (otsukaresama) for a complete compliment — "お疲れ様、少し労わってあげて" ("Good job, take care of yourself a little").

Memorization and Curiosities That Few Share

To remember 労る, create visual associations. The kanji 労 looks like a man (力) bent under the weight of a burden (灬), being embraced. Or imagine a scene from a dorama where the protagonist いたわる his sick grandmother—the emotional context helps to remember. Apps like WaniKani highlight this kanji as "active care," not passive.

Here’s a gem: in Kansai, 労る sometimes appears in the form of 労わり (itawari), a lovely regionalism. And in mangas, pay attention when elderly characters say "労わってくれ" — it's a disguised request for affection masked as weakness. Want to test your knowledge? Try translating: "彼はいつも部下を労わる" (The answer is at the heart of Japanese work culture).