Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
懐かしい (なつかしい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N3 Freq. Frequency Top 5,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
i-adjective
nostalgic ; dear ; fondly remembered
Expresses a warm, sentimental feeling when recalling something from the past, such as a place, person, memory, or object. Often used when encountering something that brings back fond memories.
この 曲きょく を 聞き く と 学がく 生せい 時じ 代だい が 懐なつ かしく 思おも い 出だ さ れる 。
This song reminds me nostalgically of my school days.
Written forms 懐なつ かしい Usage 77%
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form.
なつかしい Usage 23%
Kana spelling is common in casual writing, children's materials, and when the kanji is considered difficult.
Similar words 懐かい 古こ A noun meaning 'reminiscence' or 'nostalgia,' often used in compounds like 懐古趣味 (nostalgic taste). More formal and less commonly used in everyday speech than 懐かしい.
ノスタルジック A loanword from English 'nostalgic.' Used similarly to 懐かしい but often carries a slightly more stylish or literary nuance, and is less common in casual conversation.
Etymology Derived from the verb 懐く (なつく, 'to become attached to') with the adjectival suffix しい, originally meaning 'dear' or 'longed for.' The kanji 懐 carries the sense of 'bosom' or 'heart,' reflecting the emotional attachment.
