Translation and Meaning of: 苛める - ijimeru

Have you ever wondered where the Japanese word 苛める (いじめる), which means to tease, torment, or bully, comes from? This expression carries a strong emotional weight in Japan, often associated with bullying situations and interpersonal conflicts. In this article, we will explore its etymology, everyday usage, and even tips for memorizing this complex kanji. Additionally, you will discover how this word appears in real contexts, from informal conversations to serious discussions about harassment.

If you are studying Japanese, you may have already noticed that 苛める is not just any verb—it reflects a relevant social issue in Japan. Here, in addition to understanding its origin and writing, you will learn practical phrases to include in Anki or your spaced repetition method. And if you have ever been confused by the strokes of the kanji, don't worry: we will unravel its pictogram in a way that makes your learning easier.

Etymology and origin of 苛める

The word 苛める (いじめる) has deep roots in the Japanese language, with the kanji 苛 carrying nuances of "oppression" and "cruelty." This character is composed of the grass radical (艹) on top and the kanji 可 (which suggests permissiveness) below, creating an idea of something that "afflicts" or "squeezes." Interestingly, the reading いじめる is not the only one—the same kanji can appear in words like 苛烈 (かれつ, "relentless severity"), but with completely different pronunciations.

In feudal Japan, the term was already used to describe abuses of power, but it was in the 20th century that it acquired the modern sense of school bullying. A curiosity? The verb sometimes appears in mangas and dramas to depict school bullies, but it can also be used in a lighter way among friends—it really depends on the tone of the conversation. Have you noticed how a single word can have such different layers?

Everyday use and cultural importance

In everyday Japanese life, 苛める is a word that quickly attracts attention. If you watch animes like "Naruto" or "Koe no Katachi," you might have heard characters using it in dramatic contexts. But be careful: although it can be used in playful banter among friends ("やめて！いじめるなよ！" – "Stop! Don't tease me!"), it often appears in news about ijime (bullying), a serious problem in Japanese schools.

A valuable tip for those studying Japanese: pay attention to the particles that accompany this verb. Saying "彼をいじめる" (to bully him) sounds more aggressive than "ちょっといじってるだけ" (I'm just teasing a bit). And if you've ever been in a situation where someone exaggerated in their "jokes," you know how thin the line between humor and cruelty can be— in Japan, this discussion is even more sensitive.

Pictogram and memorization tips

The kanji 苛 may seem complicated at first glance, but its pictogram tells a story. Imagine a plant (the radical 艹) being crushed by a hand (represented by the lower component)—this mental image helps to remember its meaning of "oppression." To memorize the writing, notice that the three small strokes at the top look like leaves being pressed, while the bottom part resembles someone squeezing something tightly.

Want an unbeatable trick? Associate 苛める with the classic scene of a bully picking on someone at school—the kanji even looks like it shows a person bent under pressure. And if you've ever used the Skritter app, you know that practicing the strokes in the correct order (first the grass radical, then the rest) makes all the difference. How about trying to write it right now while the explanation is fresh in your mind?

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 苛める

• 苛める - dictionary form
• 苛めれば - conditional
• 苛めた - simple past
• 苛めろ - imperative
• 苛めるでしょう - Educated Future

Synonyms and similar words

• いじめる (ijimeru) - bully, to torment someone
• 虐める (ijimeru) - maltreat, abuse someone
• 苦しめる (kurushimeru) - make suffer, cause pain
• 迫害する (hakugai suru) - pursue, oppress
• つらくする (tsuraku suru) - make it difficult, make someone feel bad

苛める

Romaji: ijimeru
Kana: いじめる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n4, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: provoke; torment; pursue; punish

Meaning in English: to tease;to torment;to persecute;to chastise

Definition: Hurt another person with words or actions.

Example Sentences - (苛める) ijimeru

See below some example sentences:

彼女を苛めるのは悪いことだ。

Kanojo wo ijimeru no wa warui koto da

It's wrong to bully a girl.

It's bad to catch her.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "she" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 苛める (ijimeru) - verb meaning "bullying" or "intimidating" in Japanese
• のは (no wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 悪い (warui) - Adjective meaning "bad" or "evil" in Japanese.
• こと (koto) - Noun that means "thing" or "fact" in Japanese.
• だ (da) - verb "to be" in Japanese