Translation and Meaning of: 憎む - nikumu

On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 憎む (nikumu) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.

Romaji: nikumu

Kana: にくむ

Type: verb

L: jlpt-n2

憎む

Translation / Meaning: to hate; detest

Meaning in English: to hate;to detest

Definition: Hate: To have a strong antipathy or hostility towards a certain person or thing.

Table of Content
- Etymology
- Writing
- Synonyms
- Example Phrases

Explanation and Etymology - (憎む) nikumu

The Japanese word 「憎む」 (nikumu) is a verb that means "to hate" or "to detest." This word is composed of two main elements: the kanji 「憎」 and the verbal suffix 「む」 (mu). The kanji 「憎」 carries the meaning of "hatred" or "grief," and is often associated with intense and negative feelings. This kanji combines two radicals: 「心」, which means "heart" or "mind," and 「曽」, which, in this context, suggests an increase or amplification of feeling. Thus, the ideogram depicts the intensification of an emotion within the heart.

The origin of the verb 「憎む」 dates back to the classical times of the Japanese language. The use of the suffix 「む」 in verbs is a grammatical feature that allows the formation of verbs that express actions or states. This type of formation is quite common in Japanese verb construction and is useful for addressing specific actions, such as the act of hating in this case. In the historical and cultural context of Japan, expressing intense feelings such as hatred has important social and moral implications, reflecting the complexity of human emotions.

In addition to 「憎む」, there are other related variations and forms that can be found in the Japanese language. For example, 「憎しみ」 (nikushimi), which is a noun that refers to "hatred" or "resentment," and 「憎らしい」 (nikurashii), an adjective meaning "detestable" or "odious." In Japanese culture, the use of words related to negative feelings often carries nuances and should be treated with sensitivity, reflecting social awareness and the tradition of maintaining harmony in personal interactions.

Anecdotally, a story that demonstrates the complexity of using 「憎む」 in Japanese society is the legend of the lady of Rokujō, a figure from the famous novel "Genji Monogatari". In this story, feelings of jealousy and hatred manifest in ways that challenge the social norms of the time, illustrating how intense emotions can deeply impact human relationships. Such stories are often used for moral and cultural teaching, conveying lessons about managing complex feelings and the importance of empathy in social contexts.

How to Write in Japanese - (憎む) nikumu

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese (憎む) nikumu:

Verbal conjugation of 憎む

See below a small list of verb conjugations: 憎む (nikumu)

憎む - Infinitive
憎まない - Negative
憎まれる - Passive
憎んだ - Past

Synonyms and similar words

There are different ways of expressing the idea of "Hate: To have a strong antipathy or hostility towards a certain person or thing." in the Japanese language.

A way of saying "to hate; detest" é "(憎む) nikumu".

Below is a list of Japanese words that have the same meaning or are a variation of the word. "(憎む) nikumu":

憎しみ (nikushimi) - Hate intensely, deep resentment.
恨み (urami) - Feeling of resentment or bitterness, often in response to a grievance.
恨む (uramu) - To feel resentment or hatred; to lament an offense received.
嫌う (kirau) - To despise or have aversion to something or someone.
嫌悪する (ken'o suru) - To feel aversion or deep disgust.
憎悪する (zōo suru) - To feel intense hatred; to be overwhelmed by feelings of hatred.
憎み合う (nikumiau) - To have mutual feelings of hatred between two parties.
憎まれる (nikumareru) - To be hated; to be an object of aversion.
憎まれ役 (nikumare-yaku) - The role of being hated; someone who is meant to be disapproved.