How to Say ‘Painful part / sore area’ in Japanese
つらいところ
tsurai tokoro
[tsoo-rah-ee toh-koh-roh]
💬 Usage Tip: [つらい] can mean painful, hard, or uncomfortable. [ところ] means “place” or “area,” so together it means the troubled spot.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Massage staff often ask about [つらいところ] instead of using very medical wording, which can sound softer and more approachable.
Phrase Breakdown
つらい
tsurai
[tsoo-rah-ee]
painful; hard; uncomfortable
Describes physical pain, discomfort, or something tough to deal with.
肩がつらいです。
My shoulder is painful.
ところ
tokoro
[toh-koh-roh]
place; area; part
Refers to a location or body area. In massage context, it often means “the area that hurts.”
つらいところを教えてください。
Please tell me the painful area.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
What Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager