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.
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.
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.
The documentary about the orphans was heartrending.
It was a heartrending story.
I was overcome with heartrending sadness.
Literally 'one's chest hurts'. Used to express that something is heartrending or painful to see/hear. Often used as a predicate.
It's heartrending to see that sight.
Hearing her story was heartrending.
An i-adjective meaning pitiful, tragic, or heartrending. Often used for accidents, disasters, or suffering.
News of the heartrending accident was broadcast.
An i-adjective expressing a poignant, aching sadness, often with a sense of longing or helplessness. Common in songs and literature.
I listened to a heartrending love song.
The parting was so heartrending that I cried.
Similar to 胸が痛む, meaning 'one's heart aches'. Slightly more literary.
It's heartrending to think of his circumstances.
I was choked up at the heartrending sight of him.
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.
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.
The sight was heartrending.
It's heartrending to see him struggle like that.
I was speechless at the heartrending scene.