哀
pathetic, grief, sorrow, pathos, pity, sympathize
Readings
On'yomi
- アイ
Kun'yomi
- あわ.れ
- あわ.れむ
- かな.しい
Meaning
哀 centers on deep sadness and the compassion it evokes: grief, sorrow, and the pity or sympathy felt for someone in a pathetic state.
Most common words using 哀
20 of 57- 可哀想かわいそうN3
poor; pitiable; pathetic; pitiful
- 哀れあわれN3
pity; sorrow; grief; misery; compassion; pathos
- 哀愁あいしゅう
pathos; sorrow; grief
- 哀悼あいとう
condolence; regret; tribute; sorrow; sympathy; lament
- 悲哀ひあい
sorrow; grief; sadness
- 哀れむあわれむN1
to pity; to feel sympathy for; to sympathize with; to sympathise with; to commiserate with; to have mercy on
- 喜怒哀楽きどあいらくN1
human emotions (joy, anger, grief and pleasure); feelings
- 哀あい
pity; sorrow; grief; misery
- 哀れみあわれみ
pity; compassion
- 哀歌あいか
lament (song); elegy; dirge; sad song
- 哀願あいがん
supplication; appeal; entreaty; petition
- 哀歓あいかん
joys and sorrows; happiness and sadness
- 哀感あいかん
pathos; melancholy; sorrow
- 哀切あいせつ
pathetic; plaintive
- ザ・ソプラノズ哀愁のマフィアザソプラノズひげきのマフィア
The Sopranos (TV series)
- 可哀想にかわいそうに
poor thing!; pour soul!; what a pity!
- 哀々あいあい
deeply sad
- 哀れがるあわれがる
to feel sorry for; to pity
- 哀れっぽいあわれっぽい
plaintive; piteous; doleful
- 哀れ気あわれげ
sad; sorrowful; pensive
Study
Etymology
哀 combines 衣 (clothing) with 口 (mouth), but the historical origin is uncertain. One traditional view sees it as a phono-semantic compound where 衣 suggests a connection to mourning garments and 口 indicates a sound element, though this is not firmly established.
Meaning mnemonic
Picture a person wrapped in a mourning garment (衣), their mouth (口) open in a silent cry of grief. The image captures deep sorrow and the pity it inspires.
Reading mnemonic
For アイ, imagine the sound of a heartbroken sigh: 'Ai…' as you look at the grieving figure. The sigh 'Ai' directly cues アイ.