Japanese word

孤独

Pronunciation

Romajikodoku

Meaning

  • nounloneliness

Example

誰にも話せないと、孤独を感じます。dare ni mo hana se na i to ko doku o kan ji ma su

I feel lonely when I cannot talk to anyone.

Illustration for 孤独 (loneliness)

More examples

引っ越したばかりの頃は、孤独を感じました。hi kko shi ta ba ka ri no koro wa ko doku o kan ji ma shi ta

I felt lonely when I first moved.

Core concept

Refers to being cut off from meaningful human connection, whether physically alone or not.

Common phrases

  • 孤独を感じるko doku o kan ji ru

    feel lonely

  • 孤独を味わうko doku o aji wa u

    experience loneliness

  • 孤独と向き合うko doku to mu ki a u

    face loneliness

Similar words

寂しさsabishisa: The sadness felt when companionship or emotional closeness is missing.
一人hitori: The condition of being the only person in a place or situation.
独りぼっちhitoribotchi: The condition of being all alone and having no one nearby for support.
孤立koritsu: The condition of being socially separated from other people or a group.

Definition in Japanese

他人との心のつながりがなく、寂しさを感じる状態。ta nin to no kokoro no tsu na ga ri ga na ku sabi shi sa o kan ji ru jō tai

Word origin

孤独 (kodoku, "loneliness") is a Sino-Japanese compound of 孤 (ko, "solitary") and 独 (doku, "alone").

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 孤独 (kodoku) suggests emotional loneliness, whereas 一人 (hitori) can simply describe a person without company.

Other meanings

  • isolationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 孤独感kodokukanfeeling of lonelinessnoun

Word lists with this word