Japanese word

無残

Pronunciation

Romajimuzan

Meaning

  • na-adjectivemiserable

Example

台風の後、庭は無残な姿になりました。tai fū no ato niwa wa mu zan na sugata ni na ri ma shi ta

After the typhoon, the garden was left looking pitiful.

Illustration for 無残 (miserable)

More examples

長年使った道具は、手入れを怠ると無残な状態になります。naga nen tsuka tta dō gu wa te i re o okota ru to mu zan na jō tai ni na ri ma su

Tools used for many years can end up in a sorry state when neglected.

Core concept

Describes something left in a deeply pitiful state after severe harm, failure, or loss.

Common phrases

  • 無残な敗北mu zan na hai boku

    a miserable defeat

  • 無残な結末mu zan na ketsu matsu

    a tragic ending

Similar words

悲惨hisan: Describes a situation or result marked by severe suffering, damage, or failure.
惨めmijime: Describes a person or condition that is painfully poor, unhappy, or lacking dignity.
哀れaware: Describes a person or condition that inspires pity because of weakness, suffering, or misfortune.

Definition in Japanese

ひどく傷ついたり失敗したりして、痛ましく見るに忍びないさま。hi do ku kizu tsu i ta ri ship pai shi ta ri shi te ita ma shi ku mi ru ni shino bi na i sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 無残 (muzan) combines 無 (mu, "without") with 残 (zan, "remaining"), expressing a state in which little is left but pity or damage.

Usage tips

  • English miserable often suggests unhappiness, while 無残 (muzan) can also describe a disastrous visible result or scene.

Other meanings

  • cruelna-adjective
  • tragicna-adjective

Related words

  • 無残さmuzansamiserynoun

Word lists with this word