Japanese word

寂しい

Pronunciation

Romajisabishii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivelonely

Example

一人でいると寂しいです。hito ri de i ru to sabi shi i de su

I feel lonely when I am alone.

Illustration for 寂しい (lonely)

More examples

友達が帰ると寂しいです。tomo dachi ga kae ru to sabi shi i de su

I feel lonely when my friends go home.

友達が帰った後、急に寂しくなりました。tomo dachi ga kae tta ato kyū ni sabi shi ku na ri ma shi ta

I suddenly felt lonely after my friend went home.

Core concept

Centers on the uneasy feeling that comes from lacking human connection and being by oneself.

Common phrases

  • 寂しい気持ちsabi shi i ki mo chi

    lonely feeling

  • 寂しい夜sabi shi i yoru

    lonely night

  • 寂しくなるsabi shi ku na ru

    become lonely

Similar words

心細いkokorobosoi: Describes an uneasy feeling caused by having no one to rely on or stay with.
恋しいkoishii: Describes longing for a person, place, or thing that is not present.

Definition in Japanese

人とのつながりがなく、一人でいることを心細く感じるさま。hito to no tsu na ga ri ga na ku hito ri de i ru ko to o kokoro boso ku kan ji ru sa ma

Word origin

The native Japanese adjective 寂しい (sabishii) is linked to the older adjective さぶし (sabushi), which described a quiet, empty feeling that developed into personal loneliness.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may connect loneliness only with physical isolation, but Japanese 寂しい (sabishii) also commonly describes missing a person after they leave.

Related words

  • 寂しさsabishisalonelinessnoun
  • 寂しがるsabishigaruact lonelyverb

Word lists with this word