Japanese word

悔しい

Pronunciation

Romajikuyashii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivefrustrated

Example

試合に負けて悔しいです。shi ai ni ma ke te kuya shi i de su

I am frustrated because I lost the game.

Illustration for 悔しい (frustrated)

More examples

ゲームで弟に負けて悔しいです。gē mu de otōto ni ma ke te kuya shi i de su

I am frustrated because I lost to my little brother in the game.

応援してくれた人に勝利を見せられず、悔しいです。ō en shi te ku re ta hito ni shō ri o mi se ra re zu kuya shi i de su

I am frustrated that I couldn't let the people who supported me see me win.

Core concept

It describes the bitter frustration that arises when a desired result slips away, especially after a defeat or missed chance.

Common phrases

  • 悔しい思いkuya shi i omo i

    a frustrating experience

  • 悔しい気持ちkuya shi i ki mo chi

    a feeling of frustration

Similar words

惜しいoshii: Feeling regret when something valuable is lost or an opportunity is narrowly missed.
もどかしいmodokashii: Feeling frustrated when effective action toward a desired result is difficult.
情けないnasakenai: Feeling ashamed or disappointed because of one's own weakness, failure, or poor performance.

Definition in Japanese

思いどおりにならず、腹立たしく残念に感じるさま。omo i dō ri ni na ra zu hara da ta shi ku zan nen ni kan ji ru sa ma

Word origin

The native Japanese adjective 悔しい (kuyashii, "frustrated") is related to the older verb 悔ゆ (kuyu, "to regret"), which expresses regret over an unwanted outcome.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 悔しい (kuyashii) often appears in 悔しいけど (kuyashī kedo), meaning "it is frustrating, but...", when someone accepts an unwanted result while expressing regret.

Other meanings

  • disappointedi-adjective
  • annoyedi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 悔しさkuyashisafrustrationnoun
  • 悔しがるkuyashigarushow frustrationverb

Word lists with this word