Japanese word

悲しむ

Pronunciation

Romajikanashimu

Meaning

  • verbfeel sad

Example

その知らせを聞いて、私は悲しみました。so no shi ra se o ki i te watashi wa kana shi mi ma shi ta

I felt sad when I heard the news.

Illustration for 悲しむ (feel sad)

More examples

試合に負けたことを、彼はいつまでも悲しんでいました。shi ai ni ma ke ta ko to o kare wa i tsu ma de mo kana shi n de i ma shi ta

He continued to feel sad about losing the game.

Core concept

悲しむ (kanashimu) describes feeling deep sadness in response to a painful event, a loss, or an unwanted outcome.

Common phrases

  • 心から悲しむkokoro ka ra kana shi mu

    feel deeply sad

  • 知らせを悲しむshi ra se o kana shi mu

    be saddened by the news

  • 別れを悲しむwaka re o kana shi mu

    mourn a parting

Similar words

嘆くnageku: To voice strong sorrow about a difficult situation, loss, or disappointing result.
悼むitamu: To mourn someone who has died, especially in formal language.

Definition in Japanese

人や出来事を思い、悲しい気持ちになる。hito ya de ki goto o omo i kana shi i ki mo chi ni na ru

Word origin

The native verb 悲しむ (kanashimu) combines 悲し (kanashi, "sad") with む (mu, a verb-forming suffix), giving the sense of feeling sadness.

Usage tips

  • 悲しむ (kanashimu) often describes mourning a person or loss in formal speech, while everyday conversation more often uses 悲しい (kanashii, "sad") to describe a feeling.

Other meanings

  • mournverb
  • regretverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word