嘆き
nageki
The English word lamentation is translated into Japanese as 嘆き (nageki).
嘆き refers to a sorrowful cry or a lament.
Meaning: a sorrowful cry, a lament (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
nageki
Did you know?
- In Buddhist-influenced Japanese thought, a 嘆き is sometimes viewed not just as grief, but as a manifestation of 'attachment' that one must eventually overcome to reach enlightenment.
- In traditional Japanese theater like Noh, 嘆き is often expressed through highly stylized, minimal movements rather than loud sobbing to emphasize the depth of the grief.
- In classical Japanese poetry, the concept of lamentation is deeply tied to 'mono no aware', an aesthetic sensitivity to the fleeting nature of all things.
Examples in context
- 悲嘆の念…A feeling of lamentation…
- 彼の嘆きが聞こえてくる。kare no nageki ga kikoete kuru.I can hear his lamentation.
- それは深い嘆きであった。sore wa fukai nageki de atta.It was a deep lamentation.
- 彼女の嘆きは止まらない。kanojo no nageki wa tomaranai.Her lamentation does not stop.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a sad story.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの物語は嘆きに満ちていますね。kono monogatari wa nageki ni michite imasu ne.This story is full of lamentation, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、本当に悲しい話です。hai, hontou ni kanashii hanashi desu.Yes, it is a truly sad story.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣さんはどう感じましたか。yui san wa dou kanjimashita ka.Yui, how did you feel about it?
- 結衣 Yui胸が締め付けられる思いでした。mune ga shimetsukerareru omoi deshita.I felt a tightening in my chest.
