Japanese word

不憫

Pronunciation

Romajifubin

Meaning

  • na-adjectivepitiable

Example

私はその犬を不憫に思いました。watashi wa so no inu o fu bin ni omo i ma shi ta

I felt sorry for that dog.

Illustration for 不憫 (pitiable)

More examples

その子の不憫な境遇を知り、先生は支援を始めました。so no ko no fu bin na kyō gū o shi ri sen sei wa shi en o haji me ma shi ta

After learning about the child's pitiable circumstances, the teacher began helping.

Core concept

Centers on seeing a person or creature as deserving sympathy because circumstances have placed it in a difficult position.

Common phrases

  • 不憫に思うfu bin ni omo u

    feel sorry for

  • 不憫な境遇fu bin na kyō gū

    pitiable circumstances

  • 不憫でならないfu bin de na ra na i

    cannot help feeling sorry

Similar words

可哀想kawaisō: Worthy of sympathy because a person or creature is facing pain, hardship, or misfortune.
気の毒kinodoku: Worthy of sympathy when someone has experienced trouble, loss, or an unfortunate event.
哀れaware: Showing suffering or weakness in a way that calls for deep pity.

Definition in Japanese

弱い立場や恵まれない状況にあって、かわいそうに感じられるさま。yowa i tachi ba ya megu ma re na i jō kyō ni a tte ka wa i sō ni kan ji ra re ru sa ma

Word origin

不憫 (fubin) is a Sino-Japanese formation using 不 (fu, "not") and 憫 (bin, "pity"); the character meanings do not by themselves prove how the modern sense developed.

Usage tips

  • The pattern 不憫に思う (fubin ni omou) presents the speaker's response as sympathy for someone facing hardship rather than simple dislike or criticism.

Opposites

Related words

  • 不憫さfubinsapitiablenessnoun
  • 不憫がるfubingarufeel sorry for ___verb

Word lists with this word