哀れな
awarena
The English word 'pitiful' is translated into Japanese as 哀れな (awarena).
The adjective 哀れな is used to describe something so appalling or sad that it evokes feelings of sorrow. This can be applied to a person's unfortunate circumstances or to describe a person's pathetic character or state.
Meaning: so appalling or sad that one feels or should feel sorry for it (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
awarena
Did you know?
- In classical Japanese literature, the concept of もののあはれ (mono no aware) refers to a poignant feeling of empathy toward the transience of all things.
- The reading 'aware' (the root of the word) was originally a standalone exclamation in ancient Japanese poetry to express a deep, overwhelming emotional response to the transient nature of life.
- The kanji 哀 used in 哀れな is distinct from the kanji 愛 used for 'love', though they sound identical as ai in many compound words.
Examples in context
- 彼の境遇はかわいそうだね。His situation is pitiful, isn't it?
- 彼女の姿を見て、哀れな気持ちになった。When I saw her like that, I felt pity.
- 雨の中で震える子犬がとても哀れな姿だった。Ame no naka de furueru koinu ga totemo aware na sugata datta.The puppy shivering in the rain was a very pitiful sight.
- 捨てられた猫の境遇は実に哀れなものだ。Suterareta neko no kyōgu wa jitsu ni aware na mono da.The situation of the abandoned cat is truly pitiful.
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are talking about a stray dog they saw.
- 蓮 Renあの犬、とても哀れな様子だったね。Ano inu, totemo awarena yousu datta ne.That dog looked in such a pitiful state, didn't it?
- 陽葵 Himari本当に。誰か助けてあげてほしいわ。Hontou ni. Dareka tasukete agete hoshii wa.Really. I wish someone would help it.
- 蓮 Ren僕に何かできることはないかな。Boku ni nani ka dekiru koto wa nai kana.I wonder if there is anything I can do.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮くん、優しいね。Ren-kun, yasashii ne.Ren, you are so kind.
