When you feel さびしい (sabishii), it means you are lonely. This feeling comes when you miss someone or feel alone. For example, if your friend goes on a trip and you miss them, you might feel さびしい. It's a common feeling when you want company but don't have it.
Fun Fact
The kanji 寂しい (sabishii) literally combines 'lonely' (寂) and 'small' (しい, an archaic adjective ending), hinting at a feeling of being small and vulnerable in one's loneliness.
Word Origin
Old Japanese
Original meaning: lonely, desolate
JaponicCultural Context
When Japanese people say they feel さびしい (sabishii), it often carries a nuance of missing someone or something specific, not just a general state of being alone. It's a feeling of yearning or wistfulness, rather than just sadness. For example, you might feel さびしい when a close friend moves away, or when you miss your hometown.
Test Yourself 6 questions
一人で家にいると、時々（ ）なります。
The sentence means 'When I'm home alone, I sometimes feel lonely.' さびしく (sabishiku) is the adverbial form of さびしい (sabishii) and fits the context of feeling lonely.
彼女は友達が引っ越してしまってから、ずっと（ ）そうです。
The sentence means 'It seems she has been lonely ever since her friend moved away.' さびしい (sabishii) directly translates to lonely and fits the emotional state described.
新しい学校に転校したばかりで、まだ友達がいないので（ ）。
The sentence means 'I just transferred to a new school and don't have friends yet, so I'm lonely.' さびしいです (sabishii desu) expresses the feeling of loneliness.
友達がたくさんいる人は、決してさびしいと感じることはない。
Having many friends doesn't guarantee one never feels lonely. Loneliness is a complex emotion.
さびしいという感情は、誰にとっても経験しうるものである。
The statement means 'The feeling of loneliness is something everyone can experience.' This is true; loneliness is a universal human emotion.
旅行中に一人でいることは、必ずしもさびしい状況を意味する。
The statement means 'Being alone while traveling necessarily means a lonely situation.' This is false; some people enjoy solo travel for various reasons and don't feel lonely.
/ 6 correct
Perfect score!
Example
一人暮らしは少し寂しいです。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More emotions words
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.
