Translation guide
The feeling of being sad, unhappy, or sorrowful. Japanese has many words for sadness, ranging from everyday mild sadness to deep grief. The most common and versatile word is 悲しみ (kanashimi).
Expressing a general feeling of sadness, unhappiness, or being sad.
The most common and versatile noun for 'sadness'. Can be used in most contexts, from personal feelings to describing sad events.
彼の悲しみは深かった。
His sadness was deep.
悲しみを乗り越える。
To overcome sadness.
Also means 'sadness', but often emphasizes the quality or degree of sadness. Slightly more abstract than 悲しみ.
その映画の悲しさに涙が出た。
I cried at the sadness of that movie.
An alternative kanji for 悲しみ, often used in literary or poetic contexts to evoke a more profound, poignant sadness.
哀しみの詩
A poem of sorrow
Expressing profound sadness, grief, or sorrow, often due to loss.
Deep grief or sorrow, often used in formal or serious contexts.
彼女は悲嘆に暮れた。
She was lost in grief.
Condolence, mourning. Specifically used when expressing sadness over someone's death.
Heartbreaking sadness, poignant grief. Often used in news or literature.
悲痛な叫び
A heartrending cry
A gentle, lingering sadness, often without a specific cause, or a nostalgic sadness.
Melancholy, gloom, depression. Often used for a heavy, lingering sadness or depressed mood.
雨の日は憂鬱になる。
Rainy days make me feel melancholy.
Pathos, wistful sadness, often associated with a sense of beauty or the passing of time.
Sadness mixed with loneliness or solitude.
Loneliness, but often implies a sad feeling of emptiness or missing someone/something.
友達が引っ越して寂しさを感じる。
I feel sadness/loneliness since my friend moved away.
A more literary term for a quiet, desolate sadness or loneliness, often associated with traditional Japanese aesthetics.
侘しさを感じる風景
A scene that evokes a sense of desolate beauty
Describing the state of being sad, rather than the noun 'sadness'.
Both mean 'sadness', but 悲しみ (kanashimi) is more common and concrete, while 悲しさ (kanashisa) often refers to the abstract quality or degree of sadness. For example, 悲しみの涙 (tears of sadness) is natural, but 悲しさの涙 is less common.
In many cases, English 'sadness' is better expressed with an adjective like 悲しい (kanashii) or a verb phrase like 悲しむ (kanashimu, to feel sad). For example, 'I felt sadness' is often more naturally '悲しくなった' (I became sad) in Japanese.
悲しみがこみ上げてきた。
A wave of sadness washed over me.
彼女は悲しみを隠せなかった。
She couldn't hide her sadness.
哀悼の意を表します。
I express my condolences.
哀愁を帯びたメロディー
A melody tinged with sadness
An adjective meaning 'sad', 'melancholy', often used to describe an atmosphere or scene that evokes sadness.
物悲しい秋の夕暮れ
A melancholy autumn evening
切ない恋の歌
A song about a painful love