everybody hurts

[Anders]

Hi everyone, English is not my native language and I don't understand how the phrase "everybody hurts" from the famous REM is song supposed to be understood.

Like this: "everybody hurts someone"

or like this: "everybody is being hurt" ?

What is the intended meaning?

[Travis B.]

It means "Everyone feels pain".

[Elancholia]

See also the popular warning/exhortation "hurt people hurt people".

[jal]

English is not my native language and I don't understand how the phrase "everybody hurts" from the famous REM is song supposed to be understood.

As a fellow non-native speaker, I can only advise you to google a word together with "meaning", and you'll get e.g. the results for the Merriam Webster (one of the best on-line free dictionaries). As you can read there, there's an intransitive form meaning "to suffer pain or grief". Also, in this case, you only need to look at the video to see what is meant ;).


JAL

[Torco]

yeah, the word hurt means to experience hurt. also to cause hurt. also, the hurt itself, also the act of hurting. english is classical chinese sometimes.

[Rounin Ryuuji]

In context, I instinctually interpret it as Travis has stated, "everybody feels pain".

[Esvarabático]

I always thought it meant everyone will cause you pain; and just now realised it actually means everybody feels pain.

I was so absolutely wrong.

[Jonlang]

In context, I instinctually interpret it as Travis has stated, "everybody feels pain".

Yes, but I think the implication is specifically emotional pain caused by loss or grief.

[Rounin Ryuuji]

Yes, presumably.

[Travis B.]

In context, I instinctually interpret it as Travis has stated, "everybody feels pain".

Yes, but I think the implication is specifically emotional pain caused by loss or grief.

I would agree.

[jal]

Obviously, given the accompanying video (or, for that matter, the lyrics and the way they're sung).


JAL