かわいそうに
Kawaisō ni
The Japanese phrase for "poor you" is かわいそうに (Kawaisō ni).
This phrase is used to express sympathy for someone's misfortune, but one should be careful as it can sound condescending or patronizing depending on the tone and relationship with the listener.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
かわいそうに is used in informal or casual settings, often when speaking to someone of equal or lower status or when expressing genuine, soft sympathy. For formal situations, you might use お気の毒に to sympathize with someone who has encountered an unfortunate situation or use ご愁傷さまです to express condolences or sympathy when someone is experiencing a difficult or unfortunate situation, such as at a funeral.
How does it change in a sentence?
Dropping the particle に results in the plain adjective かわいそう (kawaisō), which can be used as a standalone exclamation of 'How pitiful!' or 'That's too bad!'
How do you pronounce it?
Kawaisō ni
Did you know?
- The word かわいそう shares the same root as かわいい ('cute'). Both originally described the feeling of wanting to protect something small or vulnerable.
- The formal version, お気の毒に (o-kinodoku ni), uses the word 気 (ki), which refers to one's 'spirit' or 'mind', literally wishing for the person's spirit to be spared from discomfort.
- If you use かわいそう towards a superior, it is considered extremely rude, as you are essentially judging their misfortune from a position of emotional superiority.
Examples in context
- かわいそうに、熱があるんだね。Kawaisou ni, netsu ga arunda ne.Poor you, you have a fever.
- テストに落ちたなんて、かわいそうに。Tesuto ni ochita nante, kawaisou ni.Poor you, to have failed the test.
- 道に迷ったの？かわいそうに。Michi ni mayotta no? Kawaisou ni.Did you get lost? Poor you.
Example conversation
Yui tells Kenta that she lost her favorite umbrella.
- 結衣 Yuiお気に入りの傘をなくしちゃった。Okiniiri no kasa o nakushichatta.I lost my favorite umbrella.
- 健太 Kentaかわいそうに。どこでなくしたの？Kawaisou ni. Doko de nakushita no?Poor you. Where did you lose it?
- 結衣 Yuiたぶん駅に忘れたと思う。Tabun eki ni wasureta to omou.I think I left it at the station.
- 健太 Kentaまた一緒に買いに行こうか。Mata issho ni kai ni ikou ka.Shall we go buy another one together?
