思いやり
omoiyari
The English phrase 'compassion' is translated into Japanese as 思いやり (omoiyari).
思いやり is a noun used to express a deep awareness of the suffering of another. To describe a person as being compassionate or considerate, you use the phrase 思いやりがある, which literally means 'there is compassion'.
Meaning: deep awareness of the suffering of another (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
It literally means 'offering one's thoughts or feelings to another'.
Which one should you use?
思いやり implies proactive kindness and consideration toward others.
How do you pronounce it?
omoiyari
Did you know?
- The word can also be used to describe the thoughtfulness of a design or an object that is easy for people to use, shifting the meaning from human emotion to functional empathy.
- In Japanese culture, 思いやり can be expressed through 'silence'. Choosing not to mention a mistake or an awkward situation to save another person's face is considered a form of compassion.
- Japanese hospitality, known as おもてなし (omotenashi), is essentially 思いやり put into practice. It is the art of anticipating a guest's needs before the guest is even aware of them.
Examples in context
- Daijōbu ka? Kuyashii ne (大丈夫か？ くやしいね)Are you okay? It must be frustrating.
- 彼は思いやりがある人です。Kare wa omoiyari ga aru hito desu.He is a person with compassion.
- 彼女の思いやりには感動しました。Kanojo no omoiyari ni wa kandou shimashita.I was moved by her compassion.
- 思いやりを大切にしたいです。Omoiyari o taisetsu ni shitai desu.I want to cherish compassion.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are talking about a kind coworker.
- 美咲 Misaki田中さんは本当に思いやりがありますね。Tanaka-san wa hontō ni omoiyari ga arimasu ne.Mr. Tanaka is truly compassionate, isn't he?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、いつも周りを気遣っています。Hai, itsumo mawari o kizukatte imasu.Yes, he is always considering those around him.
- 美咲 Misakiそういう優しさは大切だと思います。Sō iu yasashisa wa taisetsu da to omoimasu.I think that kind of kindness is important.
- 陽太 Yota僕も彼のような人になりたいです。Boku mo kare no yō na hito ni naritai desu.I want to be a person like him too.
