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相憐れむ (あいあわれむ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
godan verb (-mu)
pity one another ; commiserate
Literary and somewhat archaic verb meaning to feel mutual pity or compassion. The prefix 相 (あい) indicates reciprocity. Rare in modern conversation; more common in classical or poetic contexts.
ただ
相あい
憐あわ
れむ
こと
しか
でき
なかっ
た
。
In times of war, people could do nothing but pity one another.
Written forms 相あい 憐あわ れむ
Kanji spelling using 憐; rare and literary. The character 憐 is not in the Jōyō kanji list.
相あい 哀あわ れむ
Kanji spelling using 哀; also rare and literary. 哀 is a Jōyō kanji but this compound is uncommon.
Kanji 相 inter-, mutual, together 憐 pity, have mercy, sympathise Similar words 哀あわ れむ 哀れむ means 'to pity' or 'to feel compassion for' someone, without the reciprocal meaning. 相憐れむ adds the mutual aspect.
同どう 情じょう する 同情する is the common modern word for 'to sympathize'. 相憐れむ is more literary and emphasizes mutual pity.
Etymology Compound of prefix 相 (あい, 'mutual') and verb 哀れむ/憐れむ (あわれむ, 'to pity'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it follows a pattern of reciprocal verbs with 相.
