悲しいです
kanashii desu
In Japanese, 'I am sad' is said as 悲しいです (kanashii desu).
The phrase is used to express that one is feeling sorrow or unhappiness. Note that in Japanese, the subject 'I' is often omitted when the context makes it clear you are talking about your own feelings.
Which one should you use?
While 悲しいです is the standard way to state your sadness, you might use different variations depending on the intensity and setting. For example, 悲嘆に暮れる is a nuanced expression used for being engulfed in intense sorrow, whereas 泣きたい specifically means 'I want to cry'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the phrase to the past tense to say 'I was sad', you change the ending to the past tense form 悲しかった.
How do you pronounce it?
kanashii desu
Did you know?
- In Japanese poetry and song, the concept of 'mono no aware' describes a bittersweet sadness triggered by the fleeting nature of beauty, such as falling cherry blossoms.
- The kanji 悲 in 悲しい is composed of two parts: 'heart' and 'death', visually representing the deep emotional weight of sorrow.
- Japanese has a distinct word 切ない for a type of sadness that is tight or squeezing in the chest, often mixed with longing or nostalgia.
Examples in context
- 失敗してしまって、とても悲しいです。I made a mistake, and I am very sad.
- 大切な友達を失って、悲嘆に暮れています。I lost a dear friend and am engulfed in sorrow.
- 失恋しちゃったから、めっちゃ悲しいよ。I experienced a heartbreak, so I'm extremely sad.
- 最近、いろいろあって泣きたい気分だよ。Lately, I've been going through a lot, and I feel like crying.
- その知らせを聞いて悲しいです。Sono shirase o kiite kanashii desu.I am sad to hear that news.
- 別れはとても悲しいです。Wakare wa totemo kanashii desu.Parting is very sad.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a lost pet.
- 大翔 Hiroto猫がいなくなって、とても悲しいです。Neko ga inaku natte, totemo kanashii desu.My cat is gone, and I am very sad.
- 結衣 Yuiそれは本当に大変ですね。Sore wa hontō ni taihen desu ne.That is truly difficult.
- 大翔 Hirotoもう一度会いたいです。Mō ichido aitai desu.I want to see my cat again.
- 結衣 Yuiきっと見つかりますよ、大翔さん。Kitto mitsukarimasu yo, Daishō-san.I am sure you will find it, Daisho.
