Japanese word

悲しい

Pronunciation

Romajikanashii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivesad

Example

友達が引っ越して悲しいです。tomo dachi ga hi kko shi te kana shi i de su

I am sad because my friend moved away.

Illustration for 悲しい (sad)

More examples

今日は悲しいです。kyō wa kana shi i de su

Today I am sad.

雨の日は一人でいると悲しいです。ame no hi wa hito ri de i ru to kana shi i de su

I feel sad when I am alone on rainy days.

Core concept

Describes a state in which an unwanted event or loss weighs on the heart and causes sadness.

Common phrases

  • 悲しい話kana shi i hanashi

    sad story

  • 悲しい顔kana shi i kao

    sad face

Similar words

寂しいsabishii: A feeling of sadness caused by being alone or missing someone or something.

Definition in Japanese

望ましくない出来事などによって、心が沈み、つらく感じるさま。nozo ma shi ku na i de ki goto na do ni yo tte kokoro ga shizu mi tsu ra ku kan ji ru sa ma

Word origin

The native Japanese adjective 悲しい (kanashii) comes from the older form 悲し (kanashi), which meant "sad" or "sorrowful" in earlier Japanese.

Usage tips

  • In simple conversation, 悲しい (kanashii) usually describes sadness caused by an event, while 寂しい (sabishii) more often describes loneliness or the absence of someone or something.

Other meanings

  • unhappyi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 悲しさkanashisasadnessnoun
  • 悲しげkanashigesorrowfulna-adjective

Word lists with this word