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情け (なさけ, nasake) Japanese meaning: pity | Kotomora
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かれ
は
敵てき
に
情なさ
け
を
かけ
た
。
He showed mercy to his enemy.
A compassionate person is respected by those around them.
Usage patterns 〈 人ひと 〉 に 情なさ けを 求もと める to beg someone for mercy
He begged his enemy for mercy, but was refused.
情なさ けが 薄うす い to be lacking in compassion
〈 人ひと 〉 の 情なさ けを 受う ける to receive someone's mercy or kindness
Expressions· 10 人ひと は 情なさ け be kind to others; one good turn deserves another 情なさ けが 仇あだ kindness can backfire; pardon makes offenders 情なさ けを 知し る fall in love for the first time; know love · be compassionate; show mercy 武ぶ 士し の 情なさ け samurai's compassion; warrior's mercy 情なさ けをかける show mercy; have compassion; be kind Show 3 more See all 10 in Explore →
Kanji 情 feelings, emotion, passion Related words· 6 同情 is a more formal, objective term for sympathy or pity, often used in serious contexts, while 情け carries a warmer, more personal nuance of compassion or mercy.
慈悲 is a Buddhist term for mercy and benevolence with a religious or philosophical connotation, whereas 情け is a more everyday, emotional word.
愛情 is the standard modern word for love or affection, while 情け in the sense of affection is more literary and old-fashioned.
情け refers to a specific act of mercy or pity shown toward someone, while 人情 is the broader human warmth and empathy that connects people in general.
Show 2 more 情け specifically means pity or mercy toward others, while 情 covers that sense of compassion plus broader emotion, attachment, and circumstances.
情け emphasizes compassionate feeling shown to someone, while 恩 emphasizes the resulting sense of indebtedness in the recipient.
Word family· 8 miserable; pitiful; shameful; pathetic
tender-hearted; compassionate; charitable
pity; sympathy; compassion; mercy · affection; love
Written forms 情なさ け Usage 93%
Standard kanji spelling; the okurigana け is part of the word.
なさけ Usage 7%
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the emotional nuance is emphasized.
Etymology Formed from the old noun なさ, “feeling; affection,” and the suffix け, indicating a perceptible quality or state. Its senses include affection, compassion, and mercy.
He's lacking in compassion and won't help people even when they're in trouble.
Thanks to the villagers' kindness, he was able to get back on his feet.
なさ
け
fleeting love; transient feelings · hint of kindness · wasted compassion
deep affection; excessive love
