Translation guide
Describes something that causes deep emotional pain or sadness, often evoking sympathy. In Japanese, this is expressed through adjectives, verbs, and set phrases that convey a piercing, unbearable sadness.
To describe a situation, story, or sight that is so sad it feels like your heart is being torn apart.
Literally 'as if one's chest is bursting/tearing apart'. A common, natural way to describe something heartrending. Used attributively before nouns.
胸が張り裂けるような話だった。
It was a heartrending story.
胸が張り裂けるような悲しみに襲われた。
I was overcome with heartrending sadness.
To describe something that makes you feel deep sympathy, often for someone's suffering or misfortune.
A na-adjective meaning pitiful, miserable, or wretched. Can sound slightly literary or old-fashioned, but still common.
哀れな姿を見て胸が詰まった。
I was choked up at the heartrending sight of him.
胸が張り裂けるような is more intense and dramatic, often used for stories or events. 胸が痛む is more about a personal, aching sadness and can be used for everyday situations.
Avoid directly translating 'heartrending' as 心を引き裂く (kokoro o hikisaku). While understandable, it is not a natural Japanese expression. Use the phrases above instead.
孤児たちについてのドキュメンタリーは胸が張り裂けるような内容だった。
The documentary about the orphans was heartrending.
彼があんなに苦しんでいるのを見ると胸が痛む。
It's heartrending to see him struggle like that.
Literally 'one's chest hurts'. Used to express that something is heartrending or painful to see/hear. Often used as a predicate.
その光景を見ると胸が痛む。
It's heartrending to see that sight.
彼女の話を聞いて胸が痛んだ。
Hearing her story was heartrending.
An i-adjective meaning pitiful, tragic, or heartrending. Often used for accidents, disasters, or suffering.
痛ましい事故のニュースが流れた。
News of the heartrending accident was broadcast.
痛ましい光景に言葉を失った。
I was speechless at the heartrending scene.
An i-adjective expressing a poignant, aching sadness, often with a sense of longing or helplessness. Common in songs and literature.
切ない恋の歌を聴いた。
I listened to a heartrending love song.
別れが切なくて涙が出た。
The parting was so heartrending that I cried.
Similar to 胸が痛む, meaning 'one's heart aches'. Slightly more literary.
彼の境遇を思うと心が痛む。
It's heartrending to think of his circumstances.
I wept at the heartrending tale.
A na-adjective expressing pity and compassion, often for someone in a helpless situation. Slightly softer than 哀れ.
不憫な子供たちを見て胸が痛んだ。
Seeing the heartrending children made my heart ache.
Literally 'unbearable to watch'. Used when a sight is so pitiful or tragic that you can't bear to look. Formal/literary.
その光景は見るに忍びなかった。
The sight was heartrending.