慈悲
jihi[d͡ʑiçi]
The Japanese word for mercy is 慈悲 (jihi).
慈悲 refers to forgiveness or compassion. It is a heavy, serious term typically used in religious or literary settings rather than in casual, everyday conversation.
Meaning: forgiveness or compassion (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of two characters: 慈, meaning mercy or affection and 悲, meaning sorrow or sadness. Together, they literally mean 'compassionate sorrow'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
慈悲 is a formal term. When pleading for mercy from a deity or a social superior, it is common to add the honorific prefix お to create お慈悲 to show respect.
How does it change in a sentence?
When the honorific prefix お is added to 慈悲, it transforms the noun into a more respectful and polite form, such as in the plea お慈悲を！
How do you pronounce it?
jihi
When do people say it?
In dramatic contexts like historical literature or period dramas, the phrase お慈悲を！ is a common way to plead for mercy.
Did you know?
- In Japanese Buddhism, 慈悲 is a translation of the Sanskrit terms 'metta' and 'karuna', representing 'loving-kindness' and 'compassion' respectively.
- While 慈悲 is used for divine mercy, a person asking for a break or a 'mercy' in a casual situation, like a harsh boss, would use 情け (nasake) instead.
- The concept of 慈悲 is often paired with 智慧 (chiie), or 'wisdom', as the two essential qualities of a Bodhisattva.
Examples in context
- お慈悲を！Have mercy!This sentence is useful for learning how to dramatically plead for mercy using 慈悲.
- 彼は慈悲深い人です。Kare wa jihi bukai hito desu.He is a merciful person.
- 神の慈悲を祈ります。Kami no jihi o inorimasu.I pray for God's mercy.
Example conversation
A woman and a man are discussing a character in a novel.
- 陽葵 Himariその物語の王様は慈悲がありますか？Sono monogatari no ousama wa jihi ga arimasu ka?Does the king in that story have mercy?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、彼はとても慈悲深いです。Hai, kare wa totemo jihi bukai desu.Yes, he is very merciful.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太さんは、そのような人が好きですか？Youta-san wa, sono you na hito ga suki desu ka?Youta, do you like people like that?
- 陽太 Yotaええ、とても尊敬できる人だと思います。Ee, totemo sonkei dekiru hito da to omoimasu.Yes, I think they are very respectable people.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 慈悲, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
