Japanese word

惨め

Pronunciation

Romajimijime

Meaning

  • na-adjectivemiserable

Example

敗れた選手は惨めでした。yabu re ta sen shu wa miji me de shi ta

The defeated player was miserable.

Illustration for 惨め (miserable)

More examples

友人の成功を喜びながらも、私は惨めな気持ちになりました。yū jin no sei kō o yoroko bi na ga ra mo watashi wa miji me na ki mo chi ni na ri ma shi ta

Even while celebrating my friend's success, I felt miserable.

Core concept

Describes a state in which hardship or defeat leaves someone deeply unhappy and exposed as pitiable.

Common phrases

  • 惨めな思いをするmiji me na omo i o su ru

    feel miserable

  • 惨めになるmiji me ni na ru

    become miserable

Similar words

哀れaware: Describes someone or something that evokes pity because of weakness, suffering, or misfortune.
不幸fukō: Describes a person or situation affected by bad luck and lacking happiness.
悲惨hisan: Describes a situation marked by severe suffering, loss, or damage.

Definition in Japanese

敗北や不遇などによって、気持ちや境遇がひどく苦しく、情けない状態にあるさま。hai boku ya fu gū na do ni yo tte ki mo chi ya kyō gū ga hi do ku kuru shi ku nasa ke na i jō tai ni a ru sa ma

Word origin

The formation of 惨め (mijime, "miserable") is not securely established, but its modern spelling uses 惨 (san, "cruel or tragic"), matching its harsh sense.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 惨め (mijime) often describes a humiliating or pitiful condition, so it can sound more personal than the neutral English adjective miserable.

Other meanings

  • pitiablena-adjective
  • patheticna-adjective
  • wretchedna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 惨めさmijimesamiserynoun

Word lists with this word