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A2 adjective #2,000 پرکاربردترین 12 دقیقه مطالعه

寂しい

sabishii
When you are just starting to learn Japanese at the A1 level, expressing your basic feelings is one of the most important steps in daily communication. The word 'sabishii' (寂しい) is absolutely essential in this regard. It translates primarily to 'lonely' or 'sad' in the context of missing someone or feeling isolated. Imagine you have just moved to Japan, or you are away from your family and friends; this is the exact word you would use to describe that feeling of homesickness and solitude. In Japanese culture, expressing vulnerability can sometimes be difficult, but saying 'sabishii desu' is a very natural, polite, and widely understood way to communicate that you are feeling a bit down because you are alone. At this beginner stage, you do not need to worry about complex grammar. You can simply use it in its present affirmative form by adding 'desu' to make it polite: 'sabishii desu' (I am lonely). If you want to say you are not lonely, you drop the final 'i' and add 'kunai desu', resulting in 'sabishikunai desu'. For the past tense, if you felt lonely yesterday, it becomes 'sabishikatta desu'. And for the past negative, 'sabishikunakatta desu'. It is a standard i-adjective, which means it follows the exact same rules as words like 'oishii' (delicious) or 'tanoshii' (fun). You will often hear this word in basic conversations, anime, and songs. It is a highly emotional word, but at the A1 level, it is used in very straightforward, literal contexts. For example, if your friend is leaving after a visit, you might say 'sabishiku narimasu', which means 'I will become lonely' or 'I will miss you'. This phrase is a staple of everyday Japanese interactions. Understanding 'sabishii' also opens the door to understanding Japanese emotional expression. Unlike English where we might say 'I miss you', Japanese people rarely use a direct translation of 'miss'. Instead, they describe their own internal state of loneliness caused by the person's absence. Therefore, 'sabishii' effectively functions as the Japanese equivalent of 'I miss you' in many interpersonal contexts. By mastering this single adjective, you significantly expand your ability to connect with native speakers on an emotional level, sharing your feelings of solitude or affection in a culturally appropriate manner. Practice saying it with the correct intonation, keeping the pitch relatively flat but emphasizing the 'shi' slightly, and remember that it is an i-adjective when you start building longer sentences.
At the A2 level, your ability to construct sentences and express nuances in Japanese is growing, and your use of 'sabishii' (寂しい) should reflect this progress. While an A1 learner might simply say 'sabishii desu', an A2 learner can start connecting this feeling to reasons, specific times, and other clauses. You now know how to use the te-form of adjectives, which is crucial for 'sabishii'. By changing the final 'i' to 'kute', you get 'sabishikute'. This allows you to say things like 'Kazoku ni aenakute, sabishikute nakimashita' (I couldn't meet my family, and I was so lonely I cried). The te-form links the state of loneliness directly to a subsequent action or feeling. Furthermore, at this level, you should be comfortable using 'sabishii' to modify nouns directly. Instead of just describing your own state, you can describe people or things: 'sabishii hito' (a lonely person) or 'sabishii heya' (a lonely/empty room). This expands the utility of the word from purely subjective emotion to objective description. You will also encounter the adverbial form more frequently. By changing the 'i' to 'ku', 'sabishiku' can modify verbs. The most common combination is with 'naru' (to become): 'sabishiku naru' (to become lonely). You can use this with conditional forms you are learning, such as 'Tomodachi ga kaeru to, sabishiku narimasu' (When my friend goes home, I become lonely). Another important aspect at the A2 level is recognizing the variant pronunciation 'samishii'. You will hear native speakers use 'samishii' constantly in casual conversation. While you should stick to writing 'sabishii' in your formal tests and essays, understanding that 'samishii' means the exact same thing is vital for your listening comprehension. You should also start differentiating 'sabishii' from 'kanashii' (sad). Remember that 'kanashii' is for general sadness or tragedy, while 'sabishii' is specifically for loneliness or the emptiness left by someone's absence. If you lose your wallet, you are 'kanashii' or 'zannen' (disappointed), not 'sabishii'. If your roommate moves out, you are 'sabishii'. Mastering these distinctions and grammatical connections at the A2 level will make your Japanese sound much more natural and expressive, allowing you to participate in deeper conversations about life, relationships, and personal feelings with your Japanese friends and colleagues.
Reaching the B1 level means you are transitioning from basic survival Japanese to more conversational and expressive fluency. Your understanding of 'sabishii' (寂しい) must deepen to match this level. At B1, you are expected to understand not just the literal meaning of words, but their cultural and contextual nuances. One significant addition to your vocabulary at this stage is the suffix '-gariya', which attaches to the stem of adjectives to describe someone who tends to feel a certain way. By taking the stem 'sabishi' and adding 'gariya', you create the noun 'sabishigariya' (寂しがり屋). This translates to 'a person who easily gets lonely' or 'someone who craves company'. It is a very common and somewhat endearing term used in daily life. You might hear someone say, 'Watashi wa sabishigariya dakara, hitori gura shi wa muri desu' (I get lonely easily, so living alone is impossible for me). Understanding and using such derived nouns shows a strong grasp of Japanese word formation. Furthermore, at the B1 level, you should be comfortable expressing complex reasons for your loneliness using grammar structures like 'node', 'kara', or 'tame ni'. You can articulate specific scenarios: 'Kare ga tenkin shite shimatta node, totemo sabishii omoi o shite imasu' (Because he was transferred for work, I am experiencing a very lonely feeling). Notice the phrase 'sabishii omoi o suru' (to experience a lonely feeling). This is a more sophisticated way to express the emotion than simply saying 'sabishii desu'. It treats the emotion as an experience rather than just a state. You will also encounter 'sabishii' used in more abstract ways to describe atmospheres. A town that has lost its population due to urbanization might be described as having a 'sabishii fukei' (desolate landscape). A party where few people showed up could be called a 'sabishii paatii'. The word shifts from meaning 'lonely' to 'lacking energy, presence, or warmth'. You must also be adept at reading the atmosphere (kuuki o yomu) when someone else says they are 'sabishii'. It is often a subtle call for connection or comfort. Responding appropriately with empathy, perhaps by saying 'Sore wa sabishii desu ne' (That must be lonely), is a crucial communication skill at the intermediate level. Your mastery of 'sabishii' at B1 is about expanding its application from simple personal statements to describing personalities, complex situations, and environmental atmospheres.
At the B2 level, your Japanese is becoming advanced, and your vocabulary usage must reflect precision, nuance, and a deep understanding of synonyms. For the word 'sabishii' (寂しい), this means knowing exactly when to use it over similar terms like 'kodoku' (孤独), 'koishii' (恋しい), and 'setsunai' (切ない). While an intermediate learner might use 'sabishii' for all these situations, a B2 learner knows the boundaries. 'Kodoku' is a noun indicating the objective state of solitude, often used in written or formal contexts, and can be positive (enjoying solitude). 'Sabishii' is almost always subjective and negative. You might read an article about 'kodoku-shi' (dying alone), a serious social issue in Japan, where 'sabishii' would be too emotional and informal a term for the sociological phenomenon. 'Koishii' is used when the feeling of missing someone is driven by a deep, often romantic or nostalgic yearning, rather than just the emptiness of being alone. 'Setsunai' captures a bittersweet, heart-tightening pain that 'sabishii' lacks. At B2, you should also be comfortable with idiomatic and literary expressions involving 'sabishii'. You will encounter it in complex sentence structures, such as concessive clauses: 'Hitori de iru no wa sabishii keredomo, jiyu de aru' (Being alone is lonely, but it is free). You should be able to understand and use 'sabishisa' (寂しさ), the noun form created by adding the '-sa' suffix, which quantifies or objectifies the feeling. For example, 'Sabishisa o magirasu tame ni, ongaku o kiita' (I listened to music to distract myself from the loneliness). The verb 'magirasu' (to distract/divert) frequently collocates with 'sabishisa'. Furthermore, you will see 'sabishii' used in professional and formal settings to express regret over a departure in a refined way. In a farewell speech, a B2 speaker might say, '〇〇-san ga taishoku sareru no wa, makoto ni sabishii kagiri desu' (It is the utmost loneliness/regret that Mr. OO is retiring). The grammar point '~kagiri desu' (is the utmost...) elevates the adjective to a highly formal register suitable for business or public speaking. Your goal at the B2 level is to wield 'sabishii' with surgical precision, understanding its emotional weight, its grammatical derivatives, and its exact place within the rich tapestry of Japanese emotional vocabulary.
Reaching the C1 level indicates an advanced, near-fluent command of Japanese, where you engage with the language through literature, media, and complex societal discussions. At this stage, your understanding of 'sabishii' (寂しい) must transcend daily conversation and delve into its cultural and aesthetic roots. The kanji 寂 is central to the traditional Japanese aesthetic of 'wabi-sabi' (侘寂). In this context, 'sabi' refers to the beauty that comes with age, the appreciation of the transient, the quiet, and the slightly desolate. Therefore, 'sabishii' in a literary or artistic context does not merely mean a negative feeling of loneliness; it can describe a profound, quiet beauty. A C1 learner reading a novel by Kawabata Yasunari or Natsume Soseki will encounter 'sabishii' used to describe a winter landscape, the sound of the wind, or a fleeting moment in time, evoking a sense of 'mono no aware' (the pathos of things). You must be able to appreciate this aesthetic desolation. Furthermore, at C1, you are expected to discuss complex psychological and social issues. You might debate the societal impact of the 'muen shakai' (relationless society) in Japan, where 'sabishisa' is a driving force behind various social phenomena. You should be able to articulate the difference between 'sabishisa' as a temporary emotion and 'kodoku' as an existential state in academic or philosophical discussions. You will also encounter and use highly advanced collocations and idiomatic phrases. For instance, 'sabishisa ni kakeru' (to succumb to loneliness) or 'sabishisa o kamishimeru' (to chew on/deeply reflect upon loneliness). Your writing should effortlessly incorporate the noun form 'sabishimi' (寂しみ), which is a more literary and profound version of 'sabishisa', often used to describe a deep-seated sorrow or melancholic atmosphere inherent in a situation or piece of art. At the C1 level, 'sabishii' is no longer just a vocabulary word; it is a lens through which you understand Japanese culture, art, and societal psychology. You must be able to deploy it in essays, formal debates, and literary analysis with the same nuance and depth as an educated native speaker, recognizing its dual nature as both a painful human emotion and a cornerstone of Japanese aesthetic appreciation.
At the C2 level, you possess a mastery of Japanese that rivals that of a highly educated native speaker. Your comprehension of 'sabishii' (寂しい) encompasses its entire etymological history, its classical forms, and its most subtle psychological implications. You are aware that in Classical Japanese (kobun), the word was 'sabishi' (寂し), and it belonged to the shiku-conjugation class of adjectives. Understanding this classical root allows you to fully appreciate classical poetry (waka and haiku) where the concept of 'sabi' was formalized by figures like Matsuo Basho. Basho elevated 'sabishii' from a mere feeling of personal isolation to an objective, aesthetic ideal—a quiet, solitary beauty found in nature, devoid of human clamor. A C2 speaker can discuss how the modern usage of 'sabishii' has evolved from this classical aesthetic to the contemporary psychological state of loneliness. You can effortlessly navigate the subtle orthographic choices native speakers make. For example, knowing when an author might choose to write 'sabishii' in hiragana (さびしい) to soften the visual impact of the text, or when they might use the alternative kanji 淋しい. While 寂しい is the Joyo kanji (regular use) and implies a quiet desolation or emotional state, 淋しい (which contains the water radical) historically carried a nuance of weeping or a more active, tearful sorrow. Although modern usage often conflates them, a C2 reader recognizes the authorial intent behind choosing the non-Joyo 淋しい in literature. In discourse, a C2 speaker can use 'sabishii' to critique societal trends, perhaps analyzing the 'sabishisa' inherent in modern hyper-connected but emotionally disconnected digital societies. You can employ highly sophisticated rhetorical devices, using 'sabishii' in paradoxical statements or complex metaphors. You understand that expressing 'sabishii' in Japanese is often an indirect way of affirming relationships—by stating the pain of absence, one affirms the value of the presence. This deep pragmatic understanding allows you to navigate the most delicate interpersonal communications, using the word to show profound empathy, to offer comfort, or to express a refined, philosophical acceptance of the human condition. At C2, 'sabishii' is a tool for profound artistic expression and deep psychological insight.
تمرین کن مثال‌ها نکات و راهنمایی‌ها

寂しい در ۳۰ ثانیه

  • Expresses the emotional pain of being alone or missing someone.
  • Functions as an i-adjective, conjugating like 'oishii' or 'samui'.
  • Can describe empty, desolate places as well as human feelings.
  • Often pronounced as 'samishii' in casual spoken Japanese.
The Japanese adjective '寂しい' (sabishii) is a profound and frequently used word that primarily translates to 'lonely' or 'sad' in English, but its emotional resonance extends far beyond simple solitude. When you dive into the depths of Japanese emotional vocabulary, 'sabishii' stands out as a core descriptor of the human condition, capturing the ache of absence, the chill of isolation, and the melancholic beauty of being alone. To truly understand what it means, we must look at its usage in various contexts, from personal feelings of missing a loved one to the objective description of a desolate landscape.

彼は一人で寂しい生活を送っている。

In the context of interpersonal relationships, 'sabishii' is the standard way to express that you miss someone. Unlike English, which uses the active verb 'to miss', Japanese describes the internal state of the speaker. You do not 'miss' someone; rather, you feel 'lonely' because they are not there. This subtle shift in perspective is crucial for learners to grasp, as it reflects a broader cultural tendency to describe emotional states rather than direct actions toward others.
Emotional State
Refers to the internal feeling of lacking companionship or warmth.

友達が引っ越してしまって、とても寂しいです。

Beyond personal feelings, 'sabishii' can also describe places or situations that lack warmth, activity, or human presence. A quiet, empty street at night, a deserted playground, or a house after all the guests have left can all be described as 'sabishii'. In these cases, the word translates closer to 'desolate', 'bleak', or 'empty'. The kanji itself, 寂, is shared with the concept of 'sabi' in 'wabi-sabi', which appreciates the beauty of aging, quietness, and rustic simplicity.

この村は若者が都会へ行ってしまい、寂しい場所になった。

The pronunciation can also vary. You will frequently hear 'samishii' in spoken Japanese. While 'sabishii' is the standard, formal reading of the kanji, 'samishii' is widely accepted in casual conversation and pop culture, often carrying a slightly softer, more vulnerable nuance. Both are correct, but 'sabishii' is preferred in formal writing.
Pronunciation Variant
Samishii (さみしい) is commonly used in spoken language for a softer tone.

秋の風が吹くと、なんとなく寂しい気持ちになる。

Understanding 'sabishii' is essential for achieving fluency in Japanese, as it unlocks the ability to express vulnerability and connect with others on a deeper emotional level. It is a word that bridges the gap between the internal world of feelings and the external world of physical spaces, making it a versatile and indispensable part of your vocabulary.

一人ぼっちの誕生日は寂しいものだ。

Ultimately, 'sabishii' encapsulates a fundamental human experience. It is not just about being physically alone; it is about the emotional weight of that solitude. Whether you are reading a classic Japanese novel, listening to a modern J-pop ballad, or simply chatting with a friend over coffee, you will encounter this word time and time again. Mastering its nuances will significantly enrich your understanding of Japanese culture and communication.
Cultural Context
Expressing 'sabishii' is a culturally accepted way to show affection through vulnerability.
Using '寂しい' (sabishii) correctly involves understanding its grammatical function as an i-adjective in Japanese. I-adjectives are incredibly versatile because they can conjugate to show tense and polarity directly, without needing an auxiliary verb like 'desu' in casual speech, though 'desu' is added for politeness. To say 'I am lonely' politely, you simply say 'sabishii desu'. In casual conversation, just 'sabishii' suffices.

最近、少し寂しいです。

When you want to express that you are not lonely, you drop the final 'i' and add 'kunai'. This makes it 'sabishikunai' (casual) or 'sabishikunai desu' (polite). Alternatively, in more formal situations, you might hear 'sabishiku arimasen'. This negative form is useful when reassuring someone that you are fine on your own.
Negative Form
Drop the 'i' and add 'kunai' -> sabishikunai.

一人で旅行するのは寂しくないですか？

To talk about the past, you change the ending to 'katta'. So, 'I was lonely' becomes 'sabishikatta' (casual) or 'sabishikatta desu' (polite). If you were not lonely in the past, you combine the negative and past forms to create 'sabishikunakatta'. Mastering these four basic forms—present, negative, past, and past negative—is the foundation of using any i-adjective correctly.

子供の頃、両親が共働きでよく寂しかった。

'Sabishii' can also be used to modify nouns directly. You simply place it before the noun. For example, 'a lonely person' is 'sabishii hito', and 'a desolate landscape' is 'sabishii keshiki'. This attributive use is very common in descriptive writing and storytelling, allowing you to paint a vivid emotional picture of a scene or character.
Modifying Nouns
Place the adjective directly before the noun: sabishii + noun.

彼は寂しい目をして遠くを見つめていた。

Furthermore, you can turn 'sabishii' into an adverb by changing the final 'i' to 'ku', resulting in 'sabishiku'. This is used to describe how an action is performed. For instance, 'sabishiku warau' means 'to smile lonely' or 'to give a sad smile'. It is also used with the verb 'naru' (to become) to express a change in state: 'sabishiku naru' means 'to become lonely'. This is the standard phrase used when someone is leaving and you want to say you will miss them.

あなたが帰ってしまうと、寂しくなります。

Finally, the te-form of 'sabishii' is 'sabishikute'. This form is used to connect sentences or to indicate a reason. For example, 'sabishikute naita' means 'I was lonely and cried' or 'I cried because I was lonely'. The te-form is incredibly useful for building more complex, expressive sentences that detail cause and effect related to your emotional state.
Te-form (Connecting/Reason)
Change 'i' to 'kute' -> sabishikute.
You will hear '寂しい' (sabishii) everywhere in Japan, as it is a fundamental word for expressing emotion. One of the most common places you will encounter it is in everyday conversation, particularly when people are parting ways. When a friend, family member, or colleague is moving away, going on a long trip, or simply leaving a gathering, it is customary to say 'sabishiku narimasu' (I will become lonely). This serves as the cultural equivalent of 'I'm going to miss you' and is a polite, warm way to show that you value the person's presence.

先輩が卒業してしまうのは、本当に寂しいです。

In Japanese pop culture, particularly in anime, manga, and J-pop music, 'sabishii' is a ubiquitous theme. Songs about heartbreak, unrequited love, or the struggles of growing up frequently feature this word in their lyrics. It is often used to evoke a sense of longing or nostalgia. In anime, characters might look up at the night sky and whisper 'sabishii' to convey their internal struggles to the audience, making it a powerful tool for character development and emotional storytelling.
Pop Culture Usage
Heavily featured in song lyrics and anime dialogue to express longing.

この歌の歌詞は、とても寂しい気持ちを表現している。

Literature and poetry also make extensive use of 'sabishii'. In traditional Japanese aesthetics, there is a deep appreciation for the beauty found in solitude and transience. The concept of 'wabi-sabi' is closely related to the root of 'sabishii'. In haiku and classical literature, the word is often used to describe the changing of the seasons, particularly autumn and winter, which are traditionally associated with a sense of quiet desolation and reflection.

冬の海は、どこか寂しい雰囲気がある。

Social media is another modern arena where 'sabishii' frequently appears. People might post about feeling lonely late at night, or share photos of an empty room with the caption 'sabishii'. It is also common to see the variant 'samishii' used in these casual, text-based environments. The use of emojis, such as a crying face or a drooping leaf, often accompanies the word to emphasize the emotional state of the poster.
Social Media
Often used in late-night posts or stories to express a desire for connection.

夜中に一人で起きていると、急に寂しくなることがある。

You will also hear it in professional or formal settings, though usually in a more subdued manner. For instance, a manager might express that a department feels 'sabishii' after a key employee retires. Even in business, acknowledging the emotional impact of someone's absence is considered appropriate and empathetic. Understanding the various contexts in which 'sabishii' is used will greatly enhance your ability to interpret the emotional undertones of Japanese communication across all spheres of life.

社長が退任されて、社内が少し寂しくなりました。

Workplace Context
Used respectfully to acknowledge the void left by a departing colleague.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with '寂しい' (sabishii) is confusing it with '悲しい' (kanashii), which means 'sad'. While both are negative emotions, they are not interchangeable. 'Kanashii' is a general word for sadness, grief, or sorrow, often caused by a tragic event, a loss, or a disappointment. 'Sabishii', on the other hand, is specifically tied to solitude, isolation, or the absence of someone or something. You would be 'kanashii' if your pet died, but you would be 'sabishii' when you come home to an empty house because your pet is no longer there.

✖ 映画が感動的で寂しかった。
〇 映画が感動的で悲しかった。

Another common error arises from direct translation from English. In English, we say 'I miss you'. Learners often try to translate this literally, looking for a verb that means 'to miss'. However, in Japanese, you describe your own state of being lonely because of the person's absence. Saying 'Anata o sabishii' (I lonely you) is grammatically incorrect and makes no sense. Instead, you should say 'Anata ga inakute sabishii' (I am lonely because you are not here) or simply 'Sabishii desu' when the context is clear.
Translation Trap
Do not try to use 'sabishii' as a transitive verb like 'miss' in English.

✖ あなたを寂しい。
〇 あなたがいなくて寂しい。

Conjugation mistakes are also prevalent among beginners. Because 'sabishii' ends in an 'i' sound, it is an i-adjective. Some learners mistakenly treat it as a na-adjective, saying things like 'sabishii na hito' instead of the correct 'sabishii hito'. Additionally, when forming the past tense, beginners sometimes say 'sabishii deshita' instead of the correct 'sabishikatta desu'. Remembering that the adjective itself must conjugate, rather than just changing the copula 'desu', is a critical grammatical rule to master.

✖ 昨日はとても寂しいでした。
〇 昨日はとても寂しかったです。

A more subtle mistake involves the usage of 'sabishii' to describe objective emptiness versus subjective loneliness. While 'sabishii' can describe a desolate place, if you want to emphasize the objective state of being alone without the emotional connotation of loneliness, the word 'kodoku' (solitude) might be more appropriate. For example, an artist might seek 'kodoku' to work, which is a positive or neutral state, whereas feeling 'sabishii' is inherently a negative emotional experience.
Nuance Difference
Sabishii implies a negative feeling; kodoku (solitude) can be neutral or desired.

彼は孤独を愛しているが、決して寂しいわけではない。

Finally, learners sometimes overuse 'sabishii' in situations where a different word for 'missing' something is needed. If you miss a train, you do not use 'sabishii'; you use 'norikureru' (to miss a ride). If you miss an opportunity, you use 'nogasu' (to let slip). 'Sabishii' is strictly for emotional loneliness or the desolation of a place, never for failing to catch or attain a physical object or event.

✖ 電車に乗り遅れて寂しい。
〇 電車に乗り遅れて残念だ。

Contextual Accuracy
Ensure you are expressing emotional lack, not a physical miss.
The Japanese language is rich with vocabulary to describe emotional states, and '寂しい' (sabishii) has several synonyms and related words that carry slightly different nuances. Understanding these similar words will help you express yourself more precisely and comprehend native speakers more deeply. The most direct variant is 'さみしい' (samishii). As mentioned earlier, this is essentially the same word, written with the same kanji (寂しい), but pronounced differently. 'Samishii' is often considered more colloquial, softer, and perhaps a bit more subjective or childish. It is incredibly common in spoken Japanese and pop music.

君がいなくなると、とてもさみしいよ。

Another closely related word is '孤独' (kodoku), which translates to 'solitude' or 'isolation'. Unlike 'sabishii', which is an adjective describing a feeling, 'kodoku' is a noun describing a state of being. While 'sabishii' usually implies a negative feeling of missing someone, 'kodoku' can be neutral or even positive. Some people seek 'kodoku' for meditation or creative work. However, 'kodoku na' (the na-adjective form) can describe a profound, existential loneliness that goes deeper than the temporary feeling of 'sabishii'.
Kodoku (孤独)
A noun meaning solitude or isolation, which can be an objective state rather than just a feeling.

大都会の中で、彼は深い孤独を感じていた。

'恋しい' (koishii) is another beautiful word often translated as 'to miss' or 'to yearn for'. While 'sabishii' focuses on the feeling of emptiness or solitude, 'koishii' focuses on the strong desire to be reunited with someone or something. You feel 'sabishii' because you are alone; you feel 'koishii' because you deeply want a specific person, place, or even a type of food. 'Koishii' has a romantic or deeply nostalgic undertone.

故郷の家族がとても恋しいです。

'切ない' (setsunai) is a uniquely Japanese emotional term that overlaps with 'sabishii'. It translates roughly to 'heartrending', 'painful', or 'bittersweet'. 'Setsunai' describes a tightening in the chest, a mixture of sadness, longing, and sometimes a touch of joy. While 'sabishii' is the coldness of being alone, 'setsunai' is the sharp pain of a fleeting moment, an unrequited love, or a beautiful but sad memory. It is highly poetic and frequently used in literature and music.
Setsunai (切ない)
A bittersweet, heartrending pain, often associated with love or fleeting beauty.

夕暮れの空を見ていると、なぜか切ない気持ちになる。

Finally, '心細い' (kokorobosoi) literally translates to 'heart-thin' and means feeling helpless, insecure, or lonely due to a lack of support. You might feel 'sabishii' if your friend goes home, but you would feel 'kokorobosoi' if you are lost in a foreign country at night without a map. It combines the feeling of loneliness with a sense of anxiety or vulnerability.

初めての海外生活は、頼る人がいなくて心細かった。

Kokorobosoi (心細い)
Feeling lonely, helpless, and insecure, usually in an unfamiliar situation.

چقدر رسمی است؟

رسمی

""

سطح دشواری

گرامر لازم

مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

1

私は寂しいです。

I am lonely.

Basic present affirmative form using 'desu' for politeness.

2

一人で寂しいですか？

Are you lonely by yourself?

Question form using the particle 'ka'.

3

昨日は寂しかったです。

I was lonely yesterday.

Past tense of i-adjective: drop 'i' and add 'katta'.

4

全然寂しくないです。

I am not lonely at all.

Negative form: drop 'i' and add 'kunai'.

5

友達がいなくて寂しいです。

I am lonely because I have no friends here.

Using te-form of 'iru' (inakute) to show reason.

6

寂しい歌を聞きました。

I listened to a sad/lonely song.

Adjective modifying a noun directly (sabishii uta).

7

夜は少し寂しいです。

The night is a little lonely.

Using 'sukoshi' (a little) to soften the adjective.

8

家族に会いたいから、寂しいです。

I want to see my family, so I am lonely.

Using 'kara' to indicate the reason for the feeling.

1

あなたが帰ると、寂しくなります。

When you go home, I will become lonely.

Adverbial form 'sabishiku' + 'naru' (to become).

2

寂しくて、泣いてしまいました。

I was so lonely that I cried.

Te-form 'sabishikute' connecting to a resulting action.

3

ペットが死んでしまって、とても寂しい思いをしました。

My pet died, and I felt very lonely.

Using the phrase 'sabishii omoi o suru' (to feel lonely).

4

この町は人が少なくて、寂しいところです。

This town has few people and is a desolate place.

Using 'sabishii' to describe a place rather than a person.

5

一人暮らしは自由ですが、時々寂しいです。

Living alone is free, but sometimes it's lonely.

Using 'ga' (but) to contrast two ideas.

6

寂しい時は、よく友達に電話をします。

When I am lonely, I often call my friends.

Using 'toki' (when) with an i-adjective.

7

彼女は寂しそうな顔をしていました。

She had a lonely-looking face.

Using the suffix '-sou' (looks like) with an adjective stem.

8

誰もいなくて、少しさみしかったです。

No one was there, and it was a bit lonely.

Using the alternative pronunciation 'samishii'.

1

彼は寂しがり屋なので、いつも誰かと一緒にいたがります。

He gets lonely easily, so he always wants to be with someone.

Using the noun suffix '-gariya' (someone who tends to feel...).

2

秋になると、なぜか寂しい気分になります。

When autumn comes, for some reason I get a lonely feeling.

Combining 'sabishii' with 'kibun' (feeling/mood).

3

連絡が来なくて、寂しさを感じています。

I haven't received any contact, and I am feeling loneliness.

Using the noun form 'sabishisa' with the verb 'kanjiru' (to feel).

4

都会の生活は便利ですが、ふと寂しくなることがあります。

City life is convenient, but there are times when I suddenly feel lonely.

Using 'futo' (suddenly/unexpectedly) and 'koto ga aru' (there are times when).

5

寂しさを紛らわすために、映画を見に行きました。

I went to see a movie to distract myself from the loneliness.

Collocation: 'sabishisa o magirasu' (to distract from loneliness).

6

あの古い家は、今は誰も住んでおらず寂しげだ。

That old house has no one living in it now and looks desolate.

Using the suffix '-ge' (seeming/appearing) to describe an atmosphere.

7

卒業式で先生の言葉を聞いて、急に寂しさがこみ上げてきた。

Listening to the teacher's words at graduation, loneliness suddenly welled up.

Collocation: 'sabishisa ga komiageru' (loneliness wells up).

8

一人で食事をするのは、やっぱり少し寂しいものですね。

Eating alone is, as expected, a somewhat lonely thing, isn't it?

Using 'mono' to express a general truth or feeling.

1

長年勤めた会社を辞めるのは、寂しい限りです。

It is extremely lonely/sad to leave the company I've worked at for many years.

Using the formal grammar structure '~kagiri desu' (is the utmost...).

2

彼の小説には、人間の根源的な寂しさが描かれている。

His novels depict the fundamental loneliness of human beings.

Using 'sabishisa' in a literary and abstract context.

3

孤独を愛する彼にとって、一人の時間は決して寂しいものではない。

For him, who loves solitude, time alone is by no means a lonely thing.

Contrasting 'kodoku' (solitude) with 'sabishii' (loneliness).

4

祭りの後の静まり返った神社は、どこか寂しげな風情がある。

The silent shrine after the festival has a somewhat desolate elegance.

Combining 'sabishige' with 'fuzei' (elegance/atmosphere).

5

彼女の笑顔の裏には、隠しきれない寂しさが漂っていた。

Behind her smile, an unhideable loneliness drifted.

Collocation: 'sabishisa ga tadayou' (loneliness drifts/lingers).

6

SNSで繋がっていても、心の底では寂しさを抱えている若者が多い。

Even though they are connected on SNS, many young people harbor loneliness deep in their hearts.

Collocation: 'sabishisa o kakaeru' (to harbor/carry loneliness).

7

冬の荒涼とした景色を見ると、言い知れぬ寂しさに襲われる。

Looking at the desolate winter landscape, I am struck by an indescribable loneliness.

Collocation: 'sabishisa ni osowareru' (to be struck/attacked by loneliness).

8

いくらお金があっても、心を許せる友人がいない人生は寂しい。

No matter how much money you have, a life without friends you can open your heart to is lonely.

Using 'sabishii' to evaluate the quality of a life or situation.

1

芭蕉の俳句には、日本の伝統的な美意識である「寂び」に通じる深い寂しさが表現されている。

Basho's haiku express a deep desolation that connects to 'sabi', the traditional Japanese aesthetic.

Discussing the connection between 'sabishii' and the aesthetic concept of 'sabi'.

2

現代の無縁社会において、人々の心に巣食う寂しさは深刻な社会問題となっている。

In modern relationless society, the loneliness nesting in people's hearts has become a serious social problem.

Using 'sabishisa' in a sociological context ('muen shakai').

3

彼の遺作となったその絵画は、見る者の心に静かな寂しみを呼び起こす。

That painting, which became his posthumous work, evokes a quiet sorrow in the hearts of those who view it.

Using the literary noun form 'sabishimi' (sorrow/melancholy).

4

華やかな舞台の幕が下りた後、役者は一抹の寂しさを噛み締めていた。

After the curtain fell on the glamorous stage, the actor chewed on a tinge of loneliness.

Advanced collocations: 'ichimatsu no sabishisa' (a tinge of loneliness) and 'kamishimeru' (to reflect deeply on).

5

老境に入り、友を次々と見送る寂しさは、筆舌に尽くしがたい。

Entering old age, the loneliness of seeing off friends one after another is beyond description.

Using 'sabishisa' with the advanced idiom 'hitsuzetsu ni tsukushigatai' (beyond description).

6

都会の喧騒の中に身を置きながらも、彼は常に拭い去れない寂しさを抱えて生きていた。

Even while placing himself in the hustle and bustle of the city, he lived constantly harboring an unerasable loneliness.

Using 'nuguisarenai' (unerasable/inextricable) to modify 'sabishisa'.

7

秋の夜長、虫の音に耳を傾けていると、そこはかとない寂しさが漂ってくる。

During the long autumn nights, as I listen to the sound of insects, a faint, indescribable loneliness drifts in.

Using the literary phrase 'sokohakatonai' (faint/indescribable) with 'sabishisa'.

8

物質的な豊かさが必ずしも精神的な充足をもたらすわけではなく、むしろ新たな寂しさを生み出すこともある。

Material wealth does not necessarily bring spiritual fulfillment; rather, it can sometimes give birth to a new kind of loneliness.

Using 'sabishisa' in a philosophical or critical argument.

1

古語の「さびし」が本来持っていた、荒涼たる風景に対する客観的な美的評価は、現代語の「寂しい」において主観的な感情へと変容を遂げた。

The objective aesthetic evaluation of desolate landscapes inherent in the classical 'sabishi' has transformed into a subjective emotion in the modern 'sabishii'.

Academic discourse on the etymological evolution of the word.

2

著者はあえて「淋しい」という表記を用いることで、単なる孤独感にとどまらない、涙を伴うような深い哀惜の念を表現しようと試みている。

By intentionally using the orthography '淋しい', the author attempts to express a deep sense of sorrow accompanied by tears, going beyond mere feelings of solitude.

Analyzing the orthographic choice between 寂しい and 淋しい.

3

他者との繋がりを過剰に求める現代人の病理の根底には、自己の存在意義を他者に依存せざるを得ないという、根源的な寂寥感が横たわっている。

At the root of the pathology of modern people who excessively seek connection with others lies a fundamental sense of desolation—the inevitability of depending on others for one's own existential meaning.

Using the highly formal synonym 'sekiryokan' (sense of desolation) in a psychological critique.

4

千利休が確立した侘び茶の精神は、華美を削ぎ落とした果てに現れる「寂び」の境地、すなわち究極の寂しさの中に豊穣な美を見出す逆説に他ならない。

The spirit of wabi-cha established by Sen no Rikyu is nothing but the paradox of finding rich beauty within the state of 'sabi' that appears after stripping away splendor—that is, within ultimate desolation.

Discussing 'sabishii' within the context of tea ceremony philosophy and paradox.

5

別れ際に「寂しくなります」と告げることは、単なる感情の吐露ではなく、相手の存在価値を最大限に肯定する高度な対人関係の潤滑油として機能している。

Saying 'I will be lonely' at parting is not merely an outpouring of emotion, but functions as a highly sophisticated social lubricant that maximally affirms the value of the other person's existence.

Pragmatic analysis of the social function of the phrase.

6

その詩篇全体を覆うのは、声高な悲嘆ではなく、静謐なる寂しみがもたらすカタルシスである。

What covers the entirety of that poem is not loud lamentation, but the catharsis brought about by a tranquil sorrow.

Literary critique using 'sabishimi' and 'seihitsu' (tranquil).

7

死という絶対的な孤独を前にして、人間が抱く寂しさは、いかなる宗教的慰藉をもってしても完全に癒やされることはない。

Faced with the absolute solitude of death, the loneliness harbored by humans cannot be completely healed by any religious consolation.

Philosophical discussion on mortality and existential loneliness.

8

彼女の演奏には、技巧の完璧さを超えたところにある、人間の業としての寂しさが滲み出ており、聴衆の魂を激しく揺さぶった。

Her performance exuded a loneliness as human karma, existing beyond technical perfection, and violently shook the souls of the audience.

Music criticism using 'sabishisa' to describe profound artistic expression.

ترکیب‌های رایج

寂しくなる (sabishiku naru - to become lonely)
寂しさを感じる (sabishisa o kanjiru - to feel loneliness)
寂しさを紛らわす (sabishisa o magirasu - to distract from loneliness)
寂しい思いをする (sabishii omoi o suru - to experience a lonely feeling)
寂しそうな顔 (sabishisou na kao - a lonely-looking face)
寂しい声 (sabishii koe - a sad/lonely voice)
寂しい景色 (sabishii keshiki - a desolate landscape)
寂しさに耐える (sabishisa ni taeru - to endure loneliness)
寂しさを埋める (sabishisa o umeru - to fill the loneliness)
寂しい人生 (sabishii jinsei - a lonely life)

عبارات رایج

寂しくなりますね (Sabishiku narimasu ne - I'm going to miss you)

少し寂しいです (Sukoshi sabishii desu - I'm a little lonely)

一人で寂しい (Hitori de sabishii - Lonely by oneself)

寂しい夜 (Sabishii yoru - A lonely night)

なんとなく寂しい (Nantonaku sabishii - Feeling lonely for no particular reason)

寂しい思いをさせる (Sabishii omoi o saseru - To make someone feel lonely)

口寂しい (Kuchisabishii - Longing to put something in one's mouth/eat something)

懐かしくて寂しい (Natsukashikute sabishii - Nostalgic and lonely)

寂しがり屋 (Sabishigariya - A person who easily gets lonely)

寂しさを隠す (Sabishisa o kakusu - To hide one's loneliness)

اغلب اشتباه گرفته می‌شود با

寂しい vs 悲しい (kanashii - sad): Kanashii is general sadness (e.g., someone died, failed a test). Sabishii is specifically about isolation or missing someone.

寂しい vs 孤独 (kodoku - solitude): Kodoku is an objective state of being alone, often a noun. Sabishii is the subjective feeling.

寂しい vs 恋しい (koishii - yearning): Koishii is a strong desire for something/someone you love. Sabishii is the emptiness of them not being there.

اصطلاحات و عبارات

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به‌راحتی اشتباه گرفته می‌شود

寂しい vs

寂しい vs

寂しい vs

寂しい vs

寂しい vs

الگوهای جمله‌سازی

نحوه استفاده

note

While 'sabishii' is the standard reading, 'samishii' is widely accepted in speech. However, 'samishii' cannot be used in certain compound words like 'sabishigariya' (never 'samishigariya'). Also, 'futokoro ga sabishii' (wallet is lonely/empty) is a common idiom for having no money.

اشتباهات رایج
  • Saying 'sabishii deshita' instead of 'sabishikatta desu' for the past tense.
  • Using 'sabishii' when they mean 'kanashii' (sad about an event, not isolation).
  • Trying to use 'sabishii' as a transitive verb (e.g., 'Anata o sabishii' instead of 'Anata ga inakute sabishii').
  • Treating it as a na-adjective ('sabishii na hito' instead of 'sabishii hito').
  • Using 'sabishii' when missing a train or an opportunity (should use 'norikureru' or 'nogasu').

نکات

Conjugate the Adjective, Not 'Desu'

Remember that 'sabishii' is an i-adjective. When speaking in the past tense politely, say 'sabishikatta desu'. A very common beginner mistake is saying 'sabishii deshita'. Always change the 'i' to 'katta'.

The Japanese 'I Miss You'

Stop looking for a verb that means 'to miss'. In Japanese, express this feeling by describing your state. Say 'Sabishii desu' or 'Anata ga inakute sabishii desu' (I am lonely because you aren't here).

Sabishii vs. Samishii

Don't be confused if you hear 'samishii' in anime or from friends. It is a very common, accepted variant of 'sabishii'. However, stick to writing 'sabishii' in your Japanese classes and formal emails.

Sabishigariya

Learn the word 'sabishigariya' (寂しがり屋). It means someone who gets lonely easily. It's a great word to describe yourself or a pet (like a dog that hates being left alone) and sounds very natural.

Farewell Phrase

When attending a farewell party (soubetsukai), 'Sabishiku narimasu' is your go-to phrase. It shows respect and affection for the person leaving, acknowledging the void their absence will create.

Not Just for People

You can use 'sabishii' to describe places. A 'sabishii machi' is a desolate, quiet town. This expands your vocabulary to describe atmospheres, not just your own emotions.

Kuchi ga Sabishii

If you want a snack but aren't hungry, say 'Kuchi ga sabishii' (my mouth is lonely). It's a fun, native-sounding phrase that explains why you are reaching for those potato chips.

Using the Te-form

To give a reason for your loneliness, use the te-form 'sabishikute'. For example, 'Sabishikute denwa shita' (I was lonely, so I called). It connects your feeling directly to your action.

Kanashii vs. Sabishii

Keep them separate. 'Kanashii' is for crying over a sad movie or a failure. 'Sabishii' is for crying because your friends went home and you are alone in your room.

Noun Form: Sabishisa

To talk about loneliness as a concept, change the 'i' to 'sa' to make 'sabishisa'. You can say 'sabishisa o kanjiru' (feel loneliness) or 'sabishisa o magirasu' (distract from loneliness).

حفظ کنید

روش یادسپاری

Imagine sitting alone eating SABI (wasabi) and crying. The wasabi makes you cry, but you are also crying because you are SABISHII (lonely).

ریشه کلمه

Derived from the classical Japanese adjective 'sabishi' (寂し).

بافت فرهنگی

Wabi-sabi and Mono no aware

The appreciation of transience and the gentle sadness of things passing. 'Sabishii' captures the emotional response to this transience.

تمرین در زندگی واقعی

موقعیت‌های واقعی

شروع‌کننده‌های مکالمه

"一人暮らしは寂しくないですか？ (Isn't living alone lonely?)"

"日本に来て、家族が恋しくて寂しくなったことはありますか？ (Since coming to Japan, have you ever felt lonely missing your family?)"

"どんな時に一番寂しいと感じますか？ (When do you feel the most lonely?)"

"〇〇さんが帰国してしまうので、寂しくなりますね。 (Mr. OO is returning to his country, so it will be lonely, won't it?)"

"寂しい時、どうやって気分転換しますか？ (When you are lonely, how do you change your mood?)"

موضوعات نگارش

Write about a time you felt 'sabishii' and what you did to overcome it.

Describe a place that has a 'sabishii' atmosphere. Why does it feel that way?

Explain the difference between 'sabishii' and 'kanashii' using your own experiences.

Write a farewell message to a friend using 'sabishiku narimasu'.

Reflect on whether you enjoy 'kodoku' (solitude) or if it just makes you 'sabishii'.

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

Yes, absolutely. In Japanese, there is no direct verb for 'to miss'. Instead, you describe your own feeling of loneliness caused by the person's absence. Saying 'sabishii desu' or 'sabishiku narimasu' is the standard and most natural way to express that you miss someone. It focuses on your emotional state rather than an action directed at them. This is a key cultural difference in expressing affection.

They mean exactly the same thing and use the same kanji (寂しい). 'Sabishii' is the original, formal, and standard pronunciation. 'Samishii' is a phonetic variation that developed over time and is extremely common in casual speech and pop culture. You should write 'sabishii' in formal contexts, but you can say 'samishii' when talking with friends. Some people feel 'samishii' sounds a bit softer or more vulnerable.

This is a common idiom that literally translates to 'my mouth is lonely'. It means you have a desire to eat or chew on something, not because you are actually hungry, but because you are bored or want the sensation of eating. It is similar to having the 'munchies' or eating out of habit. It shows how 'sabishii' can describe a lack of activity, not just emotional loneliness.

It is an i-adjective. This means it conjugates by changing the final 'i'. For example, the negative is 'sabishikunai' and the past is 'sabishikatta'. Do not treat it as a na-adjective (e.g., never say 'sabishii na hito'). Always attach it directly to nouns ('sabishii hito') and conjugate the ending properly.

Because it is an i-adjective, you drop the final 'i' and add 'kunai'. So, 'sabishikunai' is the casual way to say 'I am not lonely'. To make it polite, simply add 'desu' at the end: 'sabishikunai desu'. In very formal situations, you might hear 'sabishiku arimasen', but 'sabishikunai desu' is perfectly fine for everyday polite conversation.

Yes, it frequently does. When applied to a place, it means desolate, empty, bleak, or lacking in human presence. For example, a quiet street at night or an abandoned village can be described as 'sabishii'. In this context, it translates closer to 'desolate' rather than 'lonely', describing the objective atmosphere rather than a personal feeling.

It is a noun that describes a person who easily gets lonely or constantly craves the company of others. The suffix '-gariya' is added to adjective stems to indicate someone who tends to feel that way (like 'samugariya' for someone sensitive to cold). It is a very common word in Japanese to describe someone's personality, often used in a slightly endearing way.

To form the past tense of an i-adjective, you drop the final 'i' and add 'katta'. Therefore, 'sabishii' becomes 'sabishikatta'. If you want to be polite, you add 'desu' to the end, making it 'sabishikatta desu'. Never say 'sabishii deshita'; the adjective itself must conjugate, not the copula.

'Kanashii' means 'sad' in a general sense, often related to grief, loss, or tragedy (like failing a test or a pet dying). 'Sabishii' specifically means 'lonely' or the sadness that comes from isolation or missing someone. If you are crying because you are alone, you are 'sabishii'. If you are crying because you watched a tragic movie, you are 'kanashii'.

The most natural and common phrase is 'Sabishiku narimasu' (I will become lonely). You can add 'ne' at the end for empathy: 'Sabishiku narimasu ne'. This is the standard cultural equivalent of 'I will miss you' in English. It is polite, heartfelt, and appropriate for friends, colleagues, and acquaintances.

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