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哀愁 (あいしゅう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 20,000 Meanings 1
noun
pathos ; sorrow ; grief
A somewhat literary noun for a deep, often quiet sadness or melancholy, especially one that evokes sympathy or aesthetic appreciation. Common in descriptions of art, music, scenery, or personal reflection.
秋あき の 夕ゆう 暮ぐ れ に は なん と も 言い え ない 哀あい 愁しゅう が ある 。
There is an indescribable sorrow in autumn evenings.
Kanji 愁 distress, grieve, lament Similar words 悲かな しみ Everyday word for sadness or grief; 哀愁 is more literary and often carries an aesthetic or reflective nuance.
悲ひ 哀あい Also a literary term for sorrow, but 悲哀 tends to emphasize the emotional pain itself, while 哀愁 often suggests a subdued, lingering melancholy.
Etymology Compound of 哀 (あい, 'sorrow, pity') and 愁 (しゅう, 'grief, melancholy'). The combination is a Sino-Japanese word (kango) that has been used in literary Japanese to express a refined, poignant sadness.
