A1 noun Neutral #3,478 most common

悲しみ

kanashimi /kanaɕimi/

The noun form of the adjective 'kanashii', referring to the state or feeling of sadness, sorrow, or grief. It is used to describe the emotional weight or the experience of being sad in a more abstract or profound sense than the adjective.

Examples

3 of 5
1

別れには悲しみが伴います。

Parting is accompanied by sadness.

2

そのニュースは、多くの人々に深い悲しみを与えました。

The news caused deep sadness to many people.

3

悲しみなんて、時間が解決してくれるよ。

Sadness is something that time will heal, you know.

Word Family

Noun
悲しみ
Verb
悲しむ
Adverb
悲しげに
Adjective
悲しい
Related
悲劇
💡

Memory Tip

The Kanji for kanashimi (悲) shows a heart (心) under a shape that represents things splitting or breaking apart. When your heart feels like it's splitting, you feel kanashimi.

Quick Quiz

彼女は___を隠して、笑顔でさよならを言った。

Correct!

The correct answer is: a

Examples

1

別れには悲しみが伴います。

everyday

Parting is accompanied by sadness.

2

そのニュースは、多くの人々に深い悲しみを与えました。

formal

The news caused deep sadness to many people.

3

悲しみなんて、時間が解決してくれるよ。

informal

Sadness is something that time will heal, you know.

4

本論文では、喪失による悲しみのプロセスを分析する。

academic

This paper analyzes the process of sadness caused by loss.

5

突然の悲しみの中、お仕事に励まれる姿に敬意を表します。

business

I express my respect for your dedication to work amidst such sudden sorrow.

Word Family

Noun
悲しみ
Verb
悲しむ
Adverb
悲しげに
Adjective
悲しい
Related
悲劇

Common Collocations

悲しみに暮れる to be lost in grief
悲しみを分かち合う to share someone's sadness
深い悲しみ deep sadness
悲しみをこらえる to suppress one's sadness
悲しみが癒える sadness heals

Common Phrases

悲しみのどん底

the depths of sorrow

悲しみに沈む

to sink into sadness

悲喜こもごも

a mixture of joy and sorrow

Often Confused With

悲しみ vs 苦しみ

Kurushimi refers to physical or mental suffering/pain, whereas kanashimi is specifically emotional sadness/grief.

悲しみ vs 悲しい

Kanashii is the adjective (e.g., 'I am sad'), while kanashimi is the noun (e.g., 'the sadness I feel').

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'kanashimi' when talking about sadness as a concept or a specific state of being. It is more formal and heavy than using the adjective 'kanashii'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use the adjective 'kanashii' where the noun 'kanashimi' is required, such as 'kanashii ga fukai' (incorrect) instead of 'kanashimi ga fukai' (correct).

💡

Memory Tip

The Kanji for kanashimi (悲) shows a heart (心) under a shape that represents things splitting or breaking apart. When your heart feels like it's splitting, you feel kanashimi.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the ancient Japanese adjective 'kanashi', which originally meant 'poignant' or 'emotionally moving,' later evolving to focus on sorrow.

Grammar Patterns

Often follows the pattern [Adjective] + 悲しみ (e.g., 深い悲しみ). Acts as the subject or object of a sentence (e.g., 悲しみが消える).
🌍

Cultural Context

In Japan, expressing deep sadness is often viewed as a private or quiet matter, frequently expressed through poetry (haiku/tanka) or subtle gestures rather than loud crying.

Quick Quiz

彼女は___を隠して、笑顔でさよならを言った。

Correct!

The correct answer is: a

Related Words

返信

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A reply or response sent specifically via written communication such as email, text message, or letter. It describes the act of sending information back to someone who has contacted you first.

反応

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A response or reaction to a stimulus, action, or statement. It can refer to a person's behavior in response to something, or a physical/chemical process where substances change.

対応

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Handling, responding to, or dealing with a situation, request, or person. It also refers to a correspondence or match between two different things, such as a translation or a mathematical relationship.

措置

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A formal term referring to a specific measure, step, or action taken to deal with a particular situation or problem. It is most commonly used in official, legal, or administrative contexts to describe a deliberate and systematic response.

手段

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A way or method used to achieve a specific goal or purpose. It refers to the 'means' through which an action is carried out or a result is obtained.

手法

A1

A specific technique, method, or manner of expression used to achieve a particular result, especially in artistic, technical, or academic contexts. It refers to the 'how' behind a creation or an action, emphasizing the skill or approach involved.

技法

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A specific method or technique used to perform an artistic or technical task. It refers to the specialized 'how-to' skills involved in creation, particularly in arts, crafts, and literature.

方式

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A formal term referring to an established system, method, or formula used to carry out a process. It describes a structured or technical approach rather than just a simple way of doing something.

規格

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A specific standard or technical specification used for industrial products, dimensions, or quality requirements. It ensures uniformity and compatibility between different items or systems.

水準

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Refers to a standard, level, or benchmark of quality, skill, or achievement. It is used to describe how high or low a certain state is compared to a norm or expectation.

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