Japanese word

情け

Pronunciation

Romajinasake

Meaning

  • nounmercy

Example

どうか情けをかけてください。dō ka nasa ke o ka ke te ku da sa i

Please show me mercy.

Illustration for 情け (mercy)

More examples

裁判官は深く反省した被告に情けをかけました。sai ban kan wa fuka ku han sei shi ta hi koku ni nasa ke o ka ke ma shi ta

The judge showed mercy to the defendant who had sincerely repented.

Core concept

It shows concern for someone in difficulty by easing harsh judgment or treatment.

Common phrases

  • 情けをかけるnasa ke o ka ke ru

    show mercy

  • 情けを乞うnasa ke o ko u

    beg for mercy

  • 情けを知らないnasa ke o shi ra na i

    know no mercy

Similar words

慈悲jihi: Compassion that leads to merciful treatment of someone in difficulty.
哀れみawaremi: A feeling of sorrow for someone who is suffering or in a weak position.
恩情onjō: Merciful consideration shown by someone with power or authority.

Definition in Japanese

苦しんでいる人や弱い立場の人に対して、哀れみや思いやりを示し、厳しい扱いを控えること。kuru shi n de i ru hito ya yowa i tachi ba no hito ni tai shi te awa re mi ya omo i ya ri o shime shi kibi shi i atsuka i o hika e ru ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese noun 情け (nasake, "compassion") is historically linked to 情ける (nasakeru, "to feel compassion"), and it names compassionate feeling or action.

Usage tips

  • The proverb 情けは人の為ならず (nasake wa hito no tame narazu) teaches that kindness eventually returns to the giver, rather than meaning that compassion harms the recipient.

Other meanings

  • compassionnoun
  • pitynoun

Opposites

  • 無慈悲mujihimercilessna-adjective

Related words

Word lists with this word