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情け (なさけ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
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彼かれ
は
敵てき
に
情なさ
け
を
かけ
た
。
He showed mercy to his enemy.
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
He's lacking in compassion and won't help people even when they're in trouble.
〈 人ひと 〉 の 情なさ けを 受う ける to receive someone's mercy or kindness
Thanks to the villagers' kindness, he was able to get back on his feet.
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.
fleeting love; transient feelings · hint of kindness · wasted compassion
deep affection; excessive love