Japanese · Emotions & Feelings
悲しい
kanashii
Sad
Beginneradjective
Definition
Describes a feeling of sorrow or unhappiness. Expressing sadness openly is less common in Japanese culture, where maintaining composure is valued.
Example
別れはいつも悲しいです。
Farewells are always sad.
Etymology
悲しい (kanashii) derives from the root word 悲 (kana), which has historical connotations related to sorrow and grief. Its usage has evolved to broadly express sadness.
How & Where It’s Used
悲しい is commonly used in informal contexts, particularly in spoken language. It conveys personal emotions and is universally recognized across Japanese-speaking regions.