憫びん然ぜん

na-adjective, taru-adjective, adverb taking the 'to' particle

pitiable; pitiful; sad

Literary word describing a state that evokes pity or sadness. Often used in the adverbial form びんぜんとして or as a たる adjective in written Japanese.

• 彼かれの境きょう遇ぐうはまことに憫びん然ぜんたるものがあった。

  His circumstances were truly pitiable.

• びんぜんとして涙なみだを誘さそう話はなしだ。

  It's a story that moves one to tears with its pitifulness.