Japanese word

哀れ

Pronunciation

Romajiaware

Meaning

  • nounpity

Example

彼の境遇を哀れに思います。kare no kyō gū o awa re ni omo i ma su

I feel compassion for his situation.

Illustration for 哀れ (pity)

More examples

彼の孤独な姿は哀れを誘います。kare no ko doku na sugata wa awa re o saso i ma su

His lonely appearance arouses pity.

Core concept

Expresses a response to suffering or fragility that combines compassion with a sense of sadness.

Common phrases

  • 哀れを誘うawa re o saso u

    arouse pity

  • 哀れを感じるawa re o kan ji ru

    feel pity

  • 哀れを覚えるawa re o obo e ru

    feel pity

Similar words

同情dōjō: A feeling of concern for someone who is suffering or facing difficulty.
憐憫renbin: A feeling of deep pity for someone in a painful or helpless situation.

Definition in Japanese

他人や弱い立場の者に心を動かされて抱く同情、またはそのような境遇の痛ましさ。ta nin ya yowa i tachi ba no mono ni kokoro o ugo ka sa re te ida ku dō jō ma ta wa so no yō na kyō gū no ita ma shi sa

Word origin

哀れ (aware) is a native Japanese word from the older form あはれ (ahare), an exclamation of deep emotion that developed into meanings such as compassion, pathos, and a pitiable condition.

Usage tips

  • Although 哀れ (aware) sounds like English aware, the two words are unrelated; 哀れ carries an emotional meaning rather than the sense of knowing or noticing.

Other meanings

  • miserynoun
  • pathosnoun

Related words

  • 哀れみawaremipitynoun
  • 哀れさawaresapitifulnessnoun
  • 哀れむawaremupityverb

Word lists with this word