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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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's heartrending to see him struggle like that.
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.