哀れな
aware na
The Japanese word for pathetic is 哀れな (aware na).
哀れな is used as an adjective to describe something or someone that arouses scorn or contempt.
Meaning: arousing scorn or contempt (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
哀れな is a na-adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
aware na
Did you know?
- The root word aware once described a deep, poignant beauty in the transience of life, rather than something to be scorned. This concept, known as mono no aware, is a central theme in traditional Japanese aesthetics.
- Using 哀れな to describe a superior or a boss is considered an extreme social taboo, far more so than in English, as it implies a total loss of dignity.
- In ancient Japanese literature, the expression aware was often used as an exclamation, similar to 'Ah!' or 'Oh!', to express an emotional response to a scene.
Examples in context
- 彼の努力は哀れですねHis efforts are pathetic, aren't they?
- 彼の試みは哀れだHis attempt is pathetic.
- 彼は惨めな失敗をしたHe encountered a pathetic failure.
- あの学生は頑張っているのに結果が出せないのは哀れだ。It's pathetic that the student can't produce results despite their efforts.
- 彼の言い訳はただの惨めな嘘だ。His excuses are just plain pathetic lies.
- 彼は哀れな男だ。Kare wa aware na otoko da.He is a pathetic man.
- そんな哀れな言い訳はやめて。Sonna aware na iiwake wa yamete.Stop making such pathetic excuses.
- 本当に哀れな状況ですね。Hontou ni aware na joukyou desu ne.It is a truly pathetic situation.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are watching a dramatic movie on TV.
- 健太 Kentaあの主人公、本当に哀れな男だね。Ano shujinkou, hontou ni aware na otoko da ne.That protagonist is a truly pathetic man, isn't he?
- 結衣 Yuiそうね、見ていて痛々しいわ。Sou ne, mite ite itaitashii wa.You're right, it's painful to watch.
- 健太 Kenta結衣、彼は自分の運命に抗えていない。Yui, kare wa jibun no unmei ni aragaete inai.Yui, he cannot fight against his own fate.
- 結衣 Yui哀れな結末になりそうね。Aware na ketsumatsu ni narisou ne.It looks like it will have a pathetic ending.
