悲

JLPT N3

Sad

Readings

On’yomi: ヒ (hi)

Kun’yomi: かな(しい), かな(しむ) (kana(shii), kana(shimu))

• かな(しい) – sad, sorrowful • かな(しむ) – to grieve, to feel sorrow

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

悲しい

かなしい

sad

悲しみ

かなしみ

sorrow

悲劇

ひげき

tragedy

悲観

ひかん

pessimism

悲鳴

ひめい

scream

Example Sentences

悲しい話です。

かなしいはなしです。

It is a sad story.

悲しみを感じます。

かなしみをかんじます。

I feel sadness.

悲劇です。

ひげきです。

It is a tragedy.

悲観します。

ひかんします。

I feel pessimistic.

悲鳴を上げます。

ひめいをあげます。

I scream.

Cultural Note

🌸 In Japanese literature and aesthetics, sadness (悲しみ) is not merely negative — it connects deeply to mono no aware (物の哀れ), the appreciation of beauty in impermanence and transience. Sadness becomes a way to feel empathy and depth of emotion rather than despair.