9 Words to Express Sadness in Japanese

Language is a fascinating window into the human experience, allowing us to express a wide range of emotions. When it comes to describing sadness, the Japanese language offers a tapestry of words and phrases, each with its unique shade of melancholy.

In this article, we’ll explore nine ways to express sadness in Japanese, each offering a nuanced glimpse into the complex world of emotions.

悲かなしい (Kanashii)

Let’s start with the basics. 悲かなしい (kanashii) is the most common and straightforward way to express sadness in Japanese. It’s a versatile term suitable for various situations.

彼かれが去さって行いく姿すがたを見みて、とても悲かなしい気持きもちになった。 (Kare no satte iku sugata o mite, totemo kanashii kimochi ni natta.)

Translation: Watching him leave filled me with great sadness.

切せつない (Setsunai)

When sadness is tinged with a sense of longing or yearning, 切せつない (setsunai) is the word to use. It evokes a poignant sadness often associated with unfulfilled desires or unrequited love.

遠とおく離はなれた恋人こいびとと会あえなくて、切せつない気持きもちです。 (Tooku hanareta koibito to aenakute, setsunai kimochi desu.)

Translation: I feel a bittersweet sadness from not being able to meet my lover who is far away.

気落きおち (Kiochi)

気落きおち (kiochi) is a term that expresses feeling down or disheartened, often associated with a temporary sadness that affects one’s mood.

先生せんせいに怒おこられて気落きおちした。 (Sensei ni okorarete kiochi shita.)

Translation: The teacher scolded me and I feel down.

寂さびしい (Sabishii)

寂さびしい (sabishii) primarily conveys feelings of loneliness and sadness resulting from the absence of someone or something cherished.

彼女かのじょが留学りゅうがくに行いってから、とても寂さびしい。 (Kanojo ga ryuugaku ni itte kara, totemo sabishii.)

Translation: Since she went abroad for studies, I’ve been very lonely.

涙なみだながら (Namida nagara)

Sometimes, words alone cannot capture the depth of sadness. 涙なみだながら (namida nagara) means “while shedding tears” and adds a layer of emotional intensity to your expression of sadness.

涙なみだながらに手紙てがみを読よみました。 (Namida nagara ni tegami o yomimashita.)

Translation: I read the letter while shedding tears.

心細こころぼそい (Kokorobosoi)

When you’re feeling anxious, worried, or vulnerable, use 心細い (kokorobosoi). It means that you feel like you’re worried and lonely.

一人ひとり暮ぐらしを始はじめて、最初さいしょはとても心細こころぼそかった。 (Hitori gurashi o hajimete, saisho wa totemo kokorobosokatta.)

Translation: When I started living alone, I was very sad and anxious at first.

悔くやし涙なみだ (Kuyashi namida)

悔くやし涙 なみだ(kuyashi namida) is used when sadness is accompanied by frustration or regret, often experienced when one wishes they could change a situation but cannot.

試合しあいに負まけてしまって、悔くやし涙なみだが出でました。 (Shiai ni makete shimatte, kuyashi namida ga demashita.)

Translation: We lost the game, and I shed tears of frustration.

胸むねが痛いたむむ (Mune ga itamu)

To express deep emotional pain or heartache, you can use 胸むねが痛いたむ (mune ga itamu), which literally means “my chest hurts.”

彼かれの死しを聞きいて、胸むねが痛いたむ気持きもちでいっぱいです。 (Kare no shi o kiite, mune ga itamu kimochi de ippai desu.)

Translation: Hearing about his death filled me with aching sadness.

涙なみだを堪こらえる (Namida o koraeru)

When you’re trying to hold back tears due to sadness, use 涙なみだを堪こらえる (namida o koraeru) to express that you’re restraining your emotions.

涙なみだを堪こらえるのは難むずかしいことです。 (Sougibajide namida o koraeru nowa muzukashii koto desu.)

Translation: It’s difficult to hold back tears at a funeral.

Whether you’re feeling a gentle melancholy or a profound grief, Japanese offers a range of expressions to help you convey your feelings with precision and depth. These heartfelt ways to say “sad” in Japanese shows the language’s capacity to articulate the complex emotions that make us human.

Let me know if you have any questions! Be sure to check out other articles like How to say “Happy” in Japanese or “How are you?” in Japanese!

~ Tanuki