悲しみ
kanashimi[ka̠na̠ɕimʲi]
The English word "sadness" is translated into Japanese as 悲しみ (kanashimi).
悲しみ is a noun used to describe the state or emotion of sadness. You may encounter the form 哀しみ in more poetic contexts, where it often conveys a sense of melancholy and longing.
Meaning: state/emotion (noun)
Which one should you use?
悲しみ refers to the emotion itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
While 悲しみ is the noun for the emotion, the form 悲しさ is used to express the degree or amount of sadness.
How do you pronounce it?
kanashimi
Did you know?
- The kanji 悲 is composed of two parts: the symbol for 'heart' and the symbol for 'dry'. This suggests a historical view of sadness as a state where the heart becomes withered or desiccated.
- While 悲しみ is the standard term, the word 切ない (setsunai) describes a sadness that feels like a physical tightening or squeezing in the chest. There is no direct English equivalent for this physical sensation of sorrow.
- In traditional Noh theater, 悲しみ is not shown by crying, but by a subtle downward tilt of the mask. This movement uses light and shadow to signal a deep internal sorrow to the audience.
Examples in context
- 彼女の悲しみは顔全体に表れていた。Her sadness was written all over her face.This sentence shows how the form 悲しみ can be used to describe an emotion visible on a person's face.Tatoeba #1123559 by bunbuku, translation #1123554 by AlanF_US
- 喜びも悲しみもいつまでも続くことはない。Happiness and sadness only last for a time.This sentence uses 悲しみ to contrast sadness with happiness.Tatoeba #2218550 by tommy_san, translation #2595706 by WestofEden
- 彼は微笑みで悲しみを隠した。He hid his sadness behind a smile.This sentence illustrates using the form 悲しみ to describe an emotion that someone is hiding.Tatoeba #100665 by mookeee, translation #303033 by CK
- 彼女の死による悲しみThe sadness caused by her death
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are talking about a sad movie.
- 結衣 Yuiこの映画は悲しみが深すぎるね。Kono eiga wa kanashimi ga fukasugiru ne.The sadness in this movie is too deep, isn't it?
- 蓮 Renそうだね。胸が締め付けられるよ。Sou da ne. Mune ga shimetsukerareru yo.You're right. It's heartbreaking.
- 結衣 Yui悲しみを分かち合うのは大切だと思う。Kanashimi o wakachiau no wa taisetsu da to omou.I think it's important to share sadness.
- 蓮 Ren本当にその通りだね。Hontou ni sono toori da ne.That is exactly true.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sadness” translations and entries 悲しみ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
