とても悲しい
totemo kanashii
The English phrase "so sad" is translated into Japanese as とても悲しい (totemo kanashii).
とても悲しい is used to describe a feeling of great unhappiness or sorrow. In Japanese, the word 悲しい (kanashii) is typically used for deep, emotional sorrow, whereas tsurai is often used for painful or distressing situations.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase とても悲しい is composed of totemo (very) and kanashii (sad).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using すごく instead of とても makes the phrase すごく悲しい sound more colloquial or casual. To express intense sadness in a formal way, you should use とても悲しいです. For an informal way to express deep emotional distress, you might use 本当に切ない.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the past tense "was so sad", the adjective ending changes from kanashii to kanashikatta, resulting in とても悲しかった.
How do you pronounce it?
totemo kanashii
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific word, 物の哀れ (mono no aware), which describes a bittersweet sadness triggered by the fleeting nature of beauty, such as falling cherry blossoms.
- In modern slang, young people sometimes use the word エモい (emoi), derived from 'emotional', to describe a mood that is both sad and beautiful.
- In traditional Japanese culture, expressing deep sadness like とても悲しい openly in public was historically discouraged in favor of gaman, the art of enduring hardship with patience.
Examples in context
- そのニュースを聞いて、とても悲しいです。Sono nyūsu o kiite, totemo kanashii desu.I am so sad to hear that news.
- 彼はとても悲しい顔をしています。Kare wa totemo kanashii kao o shite imasu.He has a very sad look on his face.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking about a movie they just finished.
- 健太 Kentaあの映画、結末がとても悲しいね。Ano eiga, ketsumatsu ga totemo kanashii ne.That movie, the ending is so sad, isn't it?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、私もとても悲しい気持ちになったよ。Un, watashi mo totemo kanashii kimochi ni natta yo.Yeah, I felt very sad too.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵はよく泣くね。Himari wa yoku naku ne.You cry easily, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himariだって、すごく感動したんだもん。Datte, sugoku kandō shita ndamon.But it's because I was really moved.
