When you feel 寂しい (sabishii), it means you're experiencing loneliness. This feeling often comes from being by yourself, or from missing someone you care about. It's a common emotion, and it can make you feel a bit down or sad because of that solitude. Think of it as the feeling of missing companionship.
When you feel 寂しい (sabishii), it means you're experiencing loneliness. This isn't just about being alone; it's the feeling of sadness that comes from being alone or missing someone.
For example, you might feel 寂しい if your friends have gone home and you're by yourself, or if you're far away from your family. It's a common emotion, and knowing this word helps you express those feelings in Japanese. It's an adjective, so it describes a feeling or state.
When you feel 寂しい (sabishii), it means you're experiencing a sense of loneliness or sadness due to being alone or separated from someone. It's often used when you miss someone or feel isolated. For example, if a friend moves away, you might feel 寂しい. You can also use it to describe a place that feels empty or desolate. It's a common and important adjective to know for expressing emotions in Japanese.
When you're learning Japanese, you'll often encounter words that have similar English translations but distinct nuances. 寂しい (sabishii) is one of those words. While it translates to 'lonely,' it carries a deeper sense of sadness or wistfulness that comes from solitude or the absence of something or someone. It's not just about being alone, but about the emotional impact of that aloneness.
For example, if you miss your family, you would say 家族に寂しい (kazoku ni sabishii) to express that feeling of missing them and the sadness that comes with their absence. It can also describe a place that feels empty or quiet due to a lack of activity or people, like a deserted street. Understanding this nuance will help you use 寂しい more accurately in your conversations.
When using 寂しい (sabishii), it expresses a feeling of loneliness or sadness that arises from being alone or missing someone/something. It's often used when you are physically alone and feel a sense of emptiness, or when you miss a person, place, or even a past time.
For example, if a friend moves away, you might say 「友達がいなくて寂しいです」 (Tomodachi ga inakute sabishii desu - I'm lonely without my friend). It can also describe a place that feels desolate or quiet because of a lack of people or activity, like 「この公園は人がいなくて寂しいね」 (Kono kōen wa hito ga inakute sabishii ne - This park is lonely/desolate without people).
When using 寂しい (sabishii), it expresses a feeling of loneliness or sadness that arises from being alone or missing someone. It’s a direct way to convey emotional solitude. You might feel this way if a friend moves away, or if you’re by yourself for a long time.
It’s often used when reflecting on the absence of a person or a familiar situation. For example, if your family goes on a trip without you, you might say you feel 寂しい. The term clearly communicates a sense of emotional lack due to separation or solitude.
寂しい in 30 Seconds
- Lonely
- Sad from solitude
- Missing someone/something
§ What 寂しい (sabishii) means
The Japanese adjective 寂しい (sabishii) is a common and important word for expressing feelings related to loneliness and sadness. While often translated simply as "lonely," it carries a nuanced meaning that extends beyond just being alone. It describes a feeling of melancholy or wistfulness, often arising from a lack of companionship, a sense of loss, or a longing for something or someone that is absent.
Think of it this way: you can be alone without feeling 寂しい, and you can feel 寂しい even when surrounded by people. The key is the emotional state. It's about a feeling of emptiness, quietness, or a yearning for connection that isn't currently being met.
- Definition
- Lonely; sad because of solitude.
§ When to use 寂しい (sabishii)
People use 寂しい in a variety of situations. Here are some common scenarios:
- When you miss someone: This is perhaps the most direct and frequent use. If a friend or family member leaves, you'd feel 寂しい because of their absence.
- When you feel isolated: Even if you're in a crowded city, you might feel 寂しい if you lack meaningful connections or feel out of place.
- When you're experiencing a loss: The sadness that comes from a breakup, moving away from home, or losing a pet can all be described with 寂しい.
- When something is lacking: Sometimes, it can be used to express a sense of incompleteness or that something desirable is missing, leading to a feeling of wistfulness. For example, a room might feel 寂しい if it's too empty.
- When an event or period ends: After a fun party or a long vacation, you might feel a little 寂しい that it's over.
Let's look at some examples to clarify:
彼女がいなくて、とても寂しいです。
Translation hint: "I really feel lonely/miss her because she's not here." (Here, 寂しい directly expresses missing someone.)
週末はいつも一人なので、少し寂しいです。
Translation hint: "Since I'm always alone on weekends, I feel a little lonely." (This emphasizes the feeling of solitude.)
彼が引っ越してしまって、寂しい気持ちになった。
Translation hint: "He moved away, and I felt a lonely/sad feeling." (Describes the sadness from a sense of loss.)
Understanding these nuances will help you use 寂しい appropriately and sound more natural in your Japanese conversations. It's a fundamental emotional adjective that will greatly expand your ability to express yourself.
§ Understanding 寂しい (sabishii)
The Japanese adjective 寂しい (sabishii) is used to express feelings of loneliness or sadness that come from being alone. It's a common and important word to know if you want to talk about emotions in Japanese. Let's break down how to use it.
§ Basic Sentence Structure with 寂しい
Like other Japanese い-adjectives, 寂しい can directly modify a noun or end a sentence. When it ends a sentence, it acts as a predicate.
- Ending a sentence
- The most straightforward way to use 寂しい is to simply state that something or someone is lonely.
私は寂しいです。
I am lonely.
彼女は寂しいそうでした。
She looked lonely.
- Modifying a noun
- You can place 寂しい directly before a noun to describe it.
寂しい夜でした。
It was a lonely night.
寂しい気持ちがします。
I feel lonely (a lonely feeling).
§ Expressing the cause of loneliness with で (de)
When you want to explain why someone is lonely, you can use the particle で (de) to indicate the cause or reason. This is similar to saying "lonely because of..." in English.
一人で寂しいです。
I am lonely because of being alone.
彼がいないで寂しいです。
I am lonely because he is not here.
§ Using 寂しい with から (kara)
You can also use から (kara) to express a reason, similar to "because" or "since" in English. When using から, it typically follows a clause that explains the reason for feeling lonely.
友達がいませんから、寂しいです。
Because I don't have friends, I am lonely.
遠くに引っ越したから、少し寂しいです。
Since I moved far away, I'm a little lonely.
§ Common phrases and nuances
Here are some other ways 寂しい is used:
寂しくなる (sabishiku naru): To become lonely. This uses the adverbial form of 寂しい (寂しく) with なる (naru), meaning "to become."
彼がいなくなると寂しくなります。
When he leaves, I will become lonely.寂しがっている (sabishigatte iru): To be feeling lonely (often describing someone else). The がる ending indicates that someone is showing signs of a particular emotion.
子供は母親がいなくて寂しがっています。
The child is feeling lonely without his mother.
Mastering 寂しい will help you convey a range of emotions related to loneliness and sadness. Pay attention to the particles and sentence structures, and you'll be able to use it naturally in your Japanese conversations.
§ What "寂しい" means
- Japanese Word
- 寂しい (sabishii)
- Part of Speech
- Adjective
- CEFR Level
- A2
- Definition
- Lonely; sad because of solitude.
The Japanese adjective “寂しい” (sabishii) is used to express a feeling of loneliness or sadness that comes from being alone or missing someone/something. It's a common and very useful word to know, as it captures a specific emotional nuance that simply saying “sad” (sad is “悲しい”, kanashii) might not convey. Think of it as a feeling of wistful solitude, or the ache of absence.
§ Where you hear “寂しい” in daily life
You'll encounter “寂しい” in many different contexts. It's not just for talking about being alone in a quiet room. It can describe a general feeling of emptiness or longing, or even the atmosphere of a place.
- At work: You might hear it if a colleague who always brought energy to the office transfers to another department.
- At school: A student might say it if their best friend is absent, or if they're the only one left in the classroom after everyone else has gone home.
- In the news/media: It could describe the feeling in a town after a major event, or a character's emotional state in a drama.
Let's look at some examples to help you understand how to use it:
他の人がいなくて、寂しい気持ちです。
Hoka no hito ga inakute, sabishii kimochi desu.
When other people aren't around, I feel lonely.
This is a very direct way to express the feeling of loneliness due to the absence of others. It's a common phrase you'll hear.
友達が国に帰ってしまって、少し寂しいです。
Tomodachi ga kuni ni kaette shimatte, sukoshi sabishii desu.
My friend went back to their country, so I'm a little lonely.
Here, “少し” (sukoshi), meaning “a little,” softens the statement, indicating a mild feeling of loneliness. This is a polite and natural way to express it.
この公園は夜になると少し寂しい雰囲気になります。
Kono kōen wa yoru ni naru to sukoshi sabishii fun'iki ni narimasu.
This park gets a slightly lonely atmosphere at night.
This example shows how “寂しい” can describe an atmosphere or a general feeling of a place, not just a personal emotion. The park isn't literally lonely, but it evokes a sense of loneliness in the speaker.
企業が撤退した後、町はずいぶん寂しくなった。
Kigyou ga tettai shita ato, machi wa zuibun sabishiku natta.
After the company pulled out, the town became quite lonely.
Here, “寂しい” is used in its adverbial form, “寂しく” (sabishiku), to modify the verb “なった” (natta - became). This refers to the town losing its vibrancy and feeling empty after an important company left.
Understanding “寂しい” is key to grasping nuanced emotions in Japanese. It's more than just being alone; it's the feeling that comes with that solitude. Practice using it to describe not only your own feelings but also the atmosphere of places or situations. This will make your Japanese sound much more natural.
Let's talk about some common pitfalls when using 寂しい (sabishii). While it means 'lonely,' its usage can be a bit more nuanced than its English counterpart. Understanding these differences will help you sound more natural and avoid awkward phrases.
§ Mistake 1: Using 寂しい for situations that are merely inconvenient or lacking.
In English, you might say "It's sad that there's no more coffee" or "I'm lonely for some good music." In Japanese, 寂しい specifically refers to the feeling of emotional loneliness or sadness due to the absence of a person, a place, or a feeling of connection. You wouldn't use it for a lack of inanimate objects or general disappointment.
- Wrong Example
- コーヒーがなくて寂しいです。(Kōhī ga nakute sabishii desu.) - *Literally: It's lonely because there's no coffee.* This sounds very unnatural.
コーヒーがなくて残念です。(Kōhī ga nakute zan'nen desu.) - *It's too bad/unfortunate that there's no coffee.*
§ Mistake 2: Confusing 寂しい with 悲しい (kanashii).
While both express sadness, they're not interchangeable. 悲しい (kanashii) means 'sad' in a general sense, often due to an event, bad news, or a difficult situation. 寂しい, on the other hand, is specifically about the feeling of loneliness or missing someone/something.
そのニュースを聞いて悲しかったです。(Sono nyūsu o kiite kanashikatta desu.) - *I was sad to hear that news.*
一人でいると寂しいです。(Hitori de iru to sabishii desu.) - *I feel lonely when I'm alone.*
§ Mistake 3: Overusing 寂しい when a milder expression is more appropriate.
While 寂しい is a valid emotion, sometimes a situation might just be a bit quiet or dull, rather than genuinely 'lonely.' Japanese culture often values subtlety, so using a strong word like 寂しい for a minor absence might sound a bit dramatic.
- Context for 寂しい
- Feeling sad because a close friend moved away, feeling lonely in a new city, missing a loved one.
- When to use something else
- A room is just quiet, there aren't many people at a party (but you're not personally lonely), or a place feels a bit empty but not in a way that causes you distress.
- For a quiet place, you might say 静か (shizuka - quiet) or 人が少ない (hito ga sukunai - there are few people).
- For a general feeling of missing something, perhaps 恋しい (koishii) for something you long for or nostalgic feelings.
この部屋は静かですね。(Kono heya wa shizuka desu ne.) - *This room is quiet, isn't it?*
故郷が恋しいです。(Kokyō ga koishii desu.) - *I miss my hometown (I long for my hometown).*
By keeping these distinctions in mind, you'll be able to use 寂しい with greater accuracy and emotional resonance. It's all about understanding the specific nuances of the Japanese language!
How Formal Is It?
"家族と離れて暮らすのは寂しいものです。"
"一人でいると、時々寂しくなる。"
"みんなが帰っちゃって寂しいな。"
"ママがいなくて寂しいよ。"
Fun Fact
The kanji 寂 is also used in the word 'wabi-sabi' (侘寂), an aesthetic concept in traditional Japanese culture emphasizing the beauty of imperfection and transience, often associated with quiet solitude and natural simplicity. 'Wabi-sabi' doesn't directly mean 'lonely,' but shares the kanji and an underlying theme of quiet contemplation.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'i' at the end too long, making it sound like 'sabishiii'.
Grammar to Know
Can be used to describe a person's feeling of loneliness.
一人でいると寂しいです。 (I feel lonely when I'm alone.)
Can describe a place that feels desolate or empty.
誰もいない部屋は寂しい。 (An empty room feels desolate.)
Often followed by 〜なる (naru) to express 'to become lonely' or 'to get lonely'.
彼がいなくなって、寂しくなった。 (It became lonely after he left.)
Can be used metaphorically to describe a lack or absence that makes something feel incomplete or sad.
パーティーに誰も来なくて寂しい。 (It's sad that no one came to the party.)
As an i-adjective, it conjugates like other i-adjectives. For example, to make it negative, replace 〜い with 〜くない.
寂しくないです。 (I'm not lonely.)
Examples by Level
私は寂しいです。
I am lonely.
家族がいなくて寂しい。
I am lonely without my family.
友達がいなくて寂しいです。
I am lonely without friends.
彼はいつも一人で寂しい。
He is always alone and lonely.
この町は夜になると寂しいです。
This town is lonely at night.
彼女は寂しい気持ちです。
She has a lonely feeling.
寂しい時、音楽を聴きます。
When I'm lonely, I listen to music.
その場所は少し寂しいです。
That place is a little lonely.
一人で食べるのは寂しいです。
Eating alone is lonely.
友達がいないと寂しい。
It's lonely without friends.
家族と離れて寂しいです。
I'm lonely away from my family.
ペットが死んで、とても寂しい。
My pet died, and I'm very lonely.
誰もいない部屋は寂しいですね。
A room with no one in it is lonely, isn't it?
週末に一人で家にいると寂しい。
It's lonely being home alone on the weekend.
あなたがいなくて寂しいです。
I'm lonely without you.
この場所は人が少なくて寂しい感じがします。
This place has few people and feels lonely.
一人暮らしは時々寂しいです。
Living alone is sometimes lonely.
友達がいなくて寂しいです。
I'm lonely because I don't have friends.
故郷を離れて寂しい気持ちになりました。
I felt lonely after leaving my hometown.
休日に誰も遊び相手がいなくて寂しい。
It's lonely on holidays when no one is around to play with.
ペットが死んでから家が寂しくなった。
The house became lonely after my pet died.
彼のいない生活は寂しいだろう。
Life without him will be lonely.
みんなが帰ってしまって、部屋が急に寂しくなった。
Everyone went home, and the room suddenly became lonely.
子供たちが大きくなって、親は少し寂しいと感じる。
When children grow up, parents feel a little lonely.
週末、友達がみんな出かけていて、私だけ家にいるのが少し寂しいです。
On the weekend, all my friends were out, and I was a little lonely staying home by myself.
Verb て-form + 寂しい (sabishii) is common to describe the reason for loneliness.
遠距離恋愛は、会えない時間が長くて寂しいと思うことが多いです。
In a long-distance relationship, I often feel lonely because there's a long time when we can't meet.
～と思うことが多い (to omou koto ga ooi) means 'I often think that...'
引っ越したばかりの頃は、知り合いがいなくてとても寂しかった。
When I had just moved, I didn't know anyone and felt very lonely.
寂しかった (sabishikatta) is the past tense of 寂しい (sabishii).
彼女が海外に行ってしまってから、彼の部屋はいつも寂しそうに見える。
Since she went abroad, his room always looks lonely.
寂しそう (sabishisou) means 'looks lonely' or 'seems lonely'.
子供たちが巣立って、家の中が少し寂しくなりました。
My children have grown up and left home, and the house has become a little lonely.
～くなる (ku naru) means 'to become' or 'to get'.
一人で食べるご飯は、なんだか寂しい気がします。
Eating a meal alone, I somehow feel lonely.
～気がする (ki ga suru) means 'to feel like' or 'to have a feeling that'.
ペットを亡くして以来、毎日が寂しくて仕方がない。
Since losing my pet, every day has been so lonely that I can't help it.
～て仕方がない (te shikata ga nai) expresses that one cannot help feeling or doing something.
冬の夜は、街の明かりが少ないと余計に寂しく感じる。
On winter nights, when there are few city lights, I feel even lonelier.
余計に (yokei ni) means 'even more' or 'excessively'.
家族と離れて暮らすのはとても寂しいです。
Living apart from my family is very lonely.
誰もいない部屋は寂しい感じがします。
A room with no one in it feels lonely.
彼がいなくて寂しいです。
I miss him (and feel lonely without him).
久しぶりに会う友達が帰ると、少し寂しくなります。
When friends I haven't seen in a long time leave, I feel a bit lonely.
彼女の笑顔がなくなると、世界が寂しく見える。
When her smile disappears, the world seems lonely.
卒業式の後、友達と別れるのが寂しかった。
After the graduation ceremony, saying goodbye to my friends made me feel lonely.
あの歌手の歌声は、時に寂しく心に響く。
That singer's voice sometimes resonates with a lonely feeling in my heart.
休日のオフィスは、まるで違う場所のように寂しい。
The office on a holiday feels lonely, like a completely different place.
古い友人に会えなくて、少し寂しい気持ちです。
I feel a bit lonely not being able to see my old friend.
〜なくて: 'not being able to ~' (reason for emotion)
家族と離れて暮らすのは、やはり寂しいものだ。
Living apart from family is indeed a lonely thing.
〜ものだ: 'it is natural that ~', 'it is true that ~'
彼女が帰ってしまって、部屋が急に寂しくなった。
She left, and the room suddenly became lonely/empty.
〜てしまう: 'to do completely', 'to do regrettably'
誰もいないオフィスは、いつもより寂しく感じられる。
An empty office feels lonelier than usual.
〜より: 'than ~'
音楽が止まると、その場の雰囲気が寂しくなった。
When the music stopped, the atmosphere of the place became lonely/somber.
〜と: 'when ~', 'if ~'
慣れない土地で一人で過ごすのは、時々寂しい。
Spending time alone in an unfamiliar place is sometimes lonely.
〜過ごす: 'to spend (time)'
彼の声を聞くと、故郷が恋しくて寂しくなる。
When I hear his voice, I miss my hometown and feel lonely.
〜恋しい: 'to miss (a person/place)'
賑やかだったお祭りが終わり、街は少し寂しげな様子だ。
The lively festival ended, and the town looks a bit lonely/desolate.
〜げな様子: 'looks ~', 'seems ~'
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
君がいなくて寂しい。
I'm lonely without you.
一人暮らしは寂しいです。
Living alone is lonely.
家族と離れて寂しい。
It's lonely away from my family.
誰もいないと寂しいね。
It's lonely when no one is around, isn't it?
この場所はいつも寂しい。
This place is always lonely.
寂しい顔をしないで。
Don't look so lonely (sad).
友達がいなくて寂しい。
I'm lonely without friends.
会えないと寂しいよ。
I get lonely when I can't see you.
休日はいつも寂しい。
Holidays are always lonely.
心の中が寂しい。
I feel lonely inside my heart.
Often Confused With
A noun meaning solitude or loneliness as a state, distinct from the adjective 寂しい which describes the feeling.
A general adjective for sadness, while 寂しい is specific to sadness from solitude or lack of connection.
Describes feeling helpless or uneasy due to lack of support in a situation, rather than just loneliness.
Grammar Patterns
Easily Confused
Often confused with 寂しい because both relate to being alone. However, 孤独 is a noun meaning 'solitude' or 'loneliness' as a state, while 寂しい is an adjective describing the feeling.
寂しい describes the feeling of loneliness. 孤独 describes the state of being alone or the abstract concept of loneliness. You can feel 寂しい even when not 孤独, and you can be 孤独 without feeling 寂しい (e.g., enjoying solitude).
彼は孤独な生活を送っている。 He lives a solitary life. (Here, 孤独 describes the state of living alone, not necessarily his feeling of sadness.)
寂しい often involves sadness, leading learners to confuse it with 悲しい, which directly means 'sad'.
悲しい is a general term for sadness due to various reasons (e.g., a bad event, loss). 寂しい is a specific type of sadness caused by a lack of connection, company, or familiarity.
そのニュースを聞いて悲しくなった。 I became sad after hearing that news. (Sadness due to news, not necessarily loneliness.)
Both imply a sense of unease or vulnerability, but their core meanings differ.
寂しい is about feeling lonely due to a lack of company or connection. 心細い means feeling helpless, uneasy, or insecure, often because one is alone in an unfamiliar or challenging situation, implying a lack of support or resources.
知らない土地で一人だと心細い。 Being alone in an unfamiliar place makes me feel uneasy/helpless. (Focuses on the vulnerability in a new situation, not just the absence of others.)
Both can express a sense of something being 'lacking', but the nature of that lack is different.
寂しい refers to the emotional void from lack of human connection or familiar things. 物足りない means something is unsatisfactory, insufficient, or leaves you wanting more (e.g., a meal that wasn't filling, a show that wasn't exciting enough).
この料理は少し物足りない。 This dish is a bit unsatisfying/not quite enough. (Refers to the quality or quantity of food, not an emotional state of loneliness.)
Both express a longing or yearning, and 寂しい can sometimes be felt because you miss someone. However, 恋しい is more specific.
寂しい is a feeling of loneliness. 恋しい specifically means to miss or long for a particular person, place, or thing. You feel 寂しい because you miss someone, but the act of missing itself is 恋しい.
故郷が恋しい。 I miss my hometown. (Specific longing for a place, not necessarily an overall feeling of loneliness.)
Sentence Patterns
〜が寂しい (someone/something is lonely)
彼が寂しいです。 (He is lonely.)
〜は寂しいです (I am lonely)
私は寂しいです。 (I am lonely.)
〜を寂しく思う (to feel lonely for someone/something)
故郷を寂しく思います。 (I feel lonely for my hometown.)
寂しがり屋 (a lonely person; someone who easily gets lonely)
彼女は寂しがり屋です。 (She is a lonely person.)
Word Family
Nouns
How to Use It
寂しい (さびしい - sabishii) is a common adjective in Japanese used to describe the feeling of loneliness or sadness due to solitude. It can be used to describe people, places, or even feelings. For example, you might feel 寂しい when a friend leaves, or a room might feel 寂しい if it's empty.
While often translated as 'lonely,' it carries a nuance of melancholy and wistfulness, more so than just being alone. It can also be used when you miss something or someone.
A common mistake for English speakers is to confuse 寂しい (sabishii) with 孤独 (kodoku). While both relate to being alone, 孤独 (kodoku) emphasizes the state of being solitary or isolated, often with a more neutral or even negative connotation of being friendless. 寂しい (sabishii), on the other hand, focuses on the emotional feeling of sadness or longing that comes with being alone or missing someone/something. You might say 「私は寂しいです。」 (I am lonely/sad) but you would more likely say 「彼は孤独な人です。」 (He is a solitary person) rather than 「彼は寂しい人です。」 (He is a lonely person, which sounds like he makes others lonely).
Another mistake is to use 寂しい for situations where you simply want to be alone or prefer solitude. In such cases, you might use phrases like 「一人になりたい」 (I want to be alone) or describe yourself as 「一人が好き」 (I like being alone) rather than implying sadness with 寂しい.
Tips
Basic Meaning of 寂しい
寂しい (さびしい - sabishii) directly translates to lonely. It's used when you feel a sense of solitude or sadness due to being alone.
Grammar: Using 寂しい
寂しい is an i-adjective. This means it can directly modify a noun (e.g., 寂しい人 - a lonely person) or end a sentence (e.g., 寂しいです - I am lonely).
Past Tense of 寂しい
To make 寂しい past tense, change the final い to かった. So, 寂しかった (sabishikatta) means was lonely.
Formal vs. Informal
寂しい can be used informally. For a more polite or formal tone, add です (desu) at the end: 寂しいです. Both mean I am lonely.
Expressing Feelings to Others
You can say 寂しいです to someone to express your feelings. For example, 友達がいなくて寂しいです (Tomodachi ga inakute sabishii desu) - I'm lonely because I don't have friends.
Describing Objects/Places
寂しい can also describe objects or places that feel desolate or empty, like a 寂しい部屋 (sabishii heya - a lonely room) or 寂しい道 (sabishii michi - a deserted road).
Similar Word: 悲しい (Kanashii)
While 寂しい focuses on loneliness due to solitude, 悲しい (かなしい - kanashii) means sad in a more general sense, often due to a sad event or feeling of sorrow.
Don't Confuse with Boredom
寂しい is not the same as being bored. While loneliness can lead to boredom, 寂しい specifically refers to the emotional state of missing someone or something.
Subtle Expression in Japan
In Japanese culture, direct expressions of strong emotions can sometimes be understated. Saying 寂しいです is a clear but not overly dramatic way to express loneliness.
Literary Use of 寂しい
In literature, 寂しい can evoke a sense of poignant beauty or wistful melancholy, describing scenes or feelings with a touch of poetic loneliness.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine being in a 'sa-m-u-i' (cold) place all by yourself. The cold and solitude make you feel 'sabishii' (lonely).
Visual Association
Picture a lone tree in a vast, empty field during winter, covered in snow. The tree looks 'sabishii' (lonely), emphasizing the feeling of being by oneself in a desolate place.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe a time you felt 'sabishii'. Why did you feel that way? Write a few sentences in Japanese. Example: 昨日の夜、一人でアニメを見ていた時、とても寂しかったです。(Kinou no yoru, hitori de anime wo miteita toki, totemo sabishikatta desu.) - Last night, when I was watching anime alone, I felt very lonely.
Word Origin
From Old Japanese.
Original meaning: Originally referred to the quietness and stillness of nature, evolving to include a sense of emotional quietness and sadness.
JaponicCultural Context
In Japanese culture, 寂しい (sabishii) carries a nuanced meaning that extends beyond simple loneliness. While it certainly means 'lonely' in the typical sense of feeling alone, it can also express a broader feeling of sadness, longing, or a quiet melancholy, often tied to a sense of absence or loss. It's a feeling that can be evoked by a quiet evening, a change in seasons, or missing something that once was there. It's not always a negative emotion; it can be a gentle and reflective state.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
When a friend moves away
- 友達が引っ越してしまって寂しいです。
- I'm lonely because my friend moved away.
- 友達がいなくて寂しい。
- It's lonely without my friend.
Feeling lonely at night
- 夜になると時々寂しくなる。
- Sometimes I get lonely at night.
- 一人で寝るのは寂しい。
- Sleeping alone is lonely.
Missing family/partner
- 家族に会えなくて寂しい。
- I miss my family (and feel lonely).
- 彼氏（彼女）がいなくて寂しい。
- I'm lonely without my boyfriend/girlfriend.
When a pet is gone
- ペットがいなくなって寂しい。
- I'm lonely because my pet is gone.
- 犬（猫）が恋しい。
- I miss my dog (cat).
Feeling isolated in a new place
- 新しい場所で知り合いがいなくて寂しい。
- I'm lonely without knowing anyone in this new place.
- 誰も話す人がいないのは寂しい。
- It's lonely when there's no one to talk to.
Conversation Starters
"最近、寂しいと感じたことはありますか？ (Have you felt lonely recently?)"
"友達が遠くに行ってしまったら、寂しいですか？ (If a friend moved far away, would you feel lonely?)"
"一人で家にいる時、寂しくなりますか？ (Do you get lonely when you're home alone?)"
"どんな時に「寂しい」と感じますか？ (When do you feel 'lonely'?)"
"寂しい時、どうしますか？ (What do you do when you feel lonely?)"
Journal Prompts
今日、寂しいと感じた瞬間があれば、その時の気持ちを詳しく書きましょう。 (If there was a moment you felt lonely today, describe your feelings in detail.)
「寂しい」という感情が、あなたにとってどんな意味を持つか考えてみましょう。 (Think about what the feeling of 'lonely' means to you.)
もし寂しい気持ちを誰かに伝えるとしたら、どのように伝えますか？ (If you were to convey your lonely feelings to someone, how would you do it?)
過去に寂しさを乗り越えた経験について書いてみましょう。 (Write about a past experience where you overcame loneliness.)
寂しさを感じた時に、自分を元気にするためにできることをリストアップしてみましょう。 (List things you can do to cheer yourself up when you feel lonely.)
Test Yourself 138 questions
週末はいつも一人なので、とても___。
The sentence says 'I'm always alone on weekends,' so 'lonely' fits the context.
友達がいなくて、___気持ちになりました。
When you 'don't have friends,' you would feel 'lonely.'
遠くに住んでいる家族を思い出して、少し___。
Thinking about 'family who lives far away' can make you feel 'a little lonely.'
ペットが死んでしまって、毎日が___です。
The death of a pet would make 'every day lonely.'
誰も話す人がいなくて、本当に___。
If 'there's no one to talk to,' you would feel 'really lonely.'
彼女は海外に行ってしまったので、彼は___と感じています。
When 'she went overseas,' 'he feels lonely.'
Choose the best English translation for 「私は寂しいです。」
「寂しい」(sabishii) means 'lonely' or 'sad because of solitude'.
Which Japanese word best describes feeling sad because you are alone?
「寂しい」(sabishii) directly translates to lonely or sad due to solitude. The other options mean happy, fun, and busy respectively.
How would you say 'I am lonely' in Japanese?
To say 'I am lonely', you use 「私は寂しいです。」. 「嬉しい」means happy, 「忙しい」means busy, and 「楽しい」means fun.
「寂しい」 (sabishii) means 'happy' in Japanese.
「寂しい」(sabishii) means 'lonely' or 'sad because of solitude', not 'happy'.
If you are alone and feel sad, you might say 「寂しいです。」
「寂しい」is used to express loneliness or sadness due to being alone.
You can use 「寂しい」 to describe a fun party.
「寂しい」means 'lonely' or 'sad', which is the opposite of describing a fun party.
The cat is not here. The room feels very...
My friend went back to their country, and I feel...
Eating alone can feel...
Read this aloud:
この公園は人がいなくて寂しいです。
Focus: さびしい (sabishii)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
週末はいつも寂しいです。
Focus: いつも (itsumo)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
家族に会えなくて寂しい。
Focus: 会えなくて (aenakute)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You are home alone and feel lonely. Write a short sentence about how you feel using 寂しい.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私は今、家で寂しいです。
Your friend moved away and you miss them. Write a short sentence expressing your sadness using 寂しい.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
友達がいなくて寂しいです。
Imagine you are in a quiet park by yourself. Describe the feeling using 寂しい.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
一人で公園にいると寂しいです。
この人はどう感じていますか？ (How does this person feel?)
Read this passage:
私は一人で家にいます。友達もいません。だから、少し寂しいです。
この人はどう感じていますか？ (How does this person feel?)
文章に「寂しいです」と書いてあるので、この人は寂しいと感じています。(The passage says '寂しいです', so the person feels lonely.)
文章に「寂しいです」と書いてあるので、この人は寂しいと感じています。(The passage says '寂しいです', so the person feels lonely.)
この人はどこにいますか？ (Where is this person?)
Read this passage:
公園で一人で座っています。周りに誰もいません。少し寂しい気持ちです。
この人はどこにいますか？ (Where is this person?)
文章に「公園で一人で座っています」と書いてあります。(The passage says 'Sitting alone in the park'.)
文章に「公園で一人で座っています」と書いてあります。(The passage says 'Sitting alone in the park'.)
この人は何がなくて寂しいですか？ (What is this person lonely without?)
Read this passage:
犬がいなくて、とても寂しいです。犬は私の大切な家族です。
この人は何がなくて寂しいですか？ (What is this person lonely without?)
文章に「犬がいなくて、とても寂しいです」と書いてあります。(The passage says 'I'm very lonely without my dog'.)
文章に「犬がいなくて、とても寂しいです」と書いてあります。(The passage says 'I'm very lonely without my dog'.)
一人で家にいると、時々___。
The sentence means 'When I'm home alone, sometimes I feel ___.' '寂しい' (lonely) fits the context of being alone.
友達がいないと、___と感じる。
The sentence means 'When I don't have friends, I feel ___.' '寂しい' (lonely) is the appropriate feeling in this situation.
遠くに住んでいる家族を思い出して、少し___なった。
The sentence means 'I remembered my family living far away and became a little ___.' '寂しく' (lonely/sad) is the correct emotion when missing family.
ペットが死んで、とても___。
The sentence means 'My pet died, and I'm very ___.' '寂しい' (sad/lonely) is the natural feeling after losing a pet.
休日に何も予定がないと、___と感じることがある。
The sentence means 'When I have no plans on a holiday, I sometimes feel ___.' '寂しい' (lonely/sad) can be felt when there's nothing to do.
彼女は新しい街に引っ越してきて、まだ友達がいなくて___ようだ。
The sentence means 'She moved to a new town and seems ___ because she doesn't have friends yet.' '寂しい' (lonely) fits this situation.
Choose the best word to complete the sentence: 彼は一人で___。
The sentence states 'He is alone', so 'lonely' fits best.
Which situation would most likely make someone feel 寂しい？
Living alone in an unfamiliar place often leads to feelings of loneliness.
この部屋は誰もいないので、とても___。
If there is no one in the room, it can feel lonely, especially in a quiet context. While 'quiet' could also fit, 'lonely' better conveys the emotional impact of absence.
友達がたくさんいると、寂しいと感じることが多い。(If you have many friends, you often feel lonely.)
Having many friends usually means you have social connections, which typically reduces feelings of loneliness.
寂しいは、一人でいる時の悲しい気持ちを表す言葉です。(寂しい is a word that expresses a sad feeling when you are alone.)
This statement accurately describes the meaning of 寂しい.
楽しいパーティーの後でも、寂しいと感じることはありません。(Even after a fun party, you never feel lonely.)
It's possible to feel lonely even after social events, especially if one feels a lack of deeper connection or if the party ends and they return to solitude.
The speaker was home alone on the weekend. How did they feel?
What happened to the speaker's friend, and how do they feel about it?
How does an empty room feel to the speaker?
Read this aloud:
遠くにいる家族に会えなくて寂しいです。
Focus: さびしい (sabishii)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
パーティーが終わった後、急に寂しくなった。
Focus: きゅうに (kyuu ni)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
一人で食べるご飯は寂しい時がある。
Focus: ごはん (gohan)
You said:
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This sentence means 'I feel lonely when I am alone.' The typical Japanese sentence structure is Subject-Object-Verb, and particles like 'は' (wa), 'と' (to), and 'を' (o) help define the role of each word.
This sentence means 'He was lonely because he had no friends.' 'がいなくて' (gainakute) is the te-form of 'いない' (inai), meaning 'not exist/have,' and it connects to the reason for his loneliness.
This sentence means 'She cried because she was lonely.' 'から' (kara) indicates a reason or cause.
一人で家にいると、時々とても___なる。
The sentence expresses feeling lonely when alone at home. '寂しく' (samishiku) is the adverbial form of '寂しい' (samishii), meaning 'lonely'.
友達が引っ越してしまって、とても___。
The sentence describes feeling sad because a friend moved away. '寂しい' (samishii) means 'lonely' or 'sad because of solitude'.
長い間会っていないので、彼女に会えなくて___。
The speaker hasn't seen 'her' for a long time and feels sad about it. '寂しいです' (samishii desu) is the polite form of '寂しい'.
週末、誰もいないオフィスは少し___。
The sentence describes an empty office on the weekend as feeling lonely or quiet. '寂しい' (samishii) fits this context.
故郷を離れてから、家族に会えなくて___気持ちになる。
Leaving one's hometown and not being able to see family evokes a feeling of loneliness. '寂しい' (samishii) is the appropriate word here.
ペットがいなくなって、家の中が___なった。
The house became lonely or quiet after a pet was gone. '寂しく' (samishiku) is the correct adverbial form.
Imagine you're studying abroad and feeling a bit homesick. Write a short message to a friend describing how you feel, using '寂しい'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
最近、家族や友達に会えなくて、少し寂しいです。みんな元気ですか？早く会いたいです！
You moved to a new city and don't know many people yet. Write two sentences about how you feel, making sure to use '寂しい'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
新しい街に引っ越してきて、まだ知り合いが少ないので、時々寂しいと感じます。週末は一人で過ごすことが多いです。
Describe a time you felt lonely, perhaps when a good friend moved away or you were left out of an activity. Use '寂しい' in your description.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
小学校の時、一番仲の良い友達が遠くに引っ越してしまって、とても寂しい思いをしました。しばらくの間、毎日泣いていました。
佐藤さんはなぜ寂しいと感じていますか？
Read this passage:
佐藤さんは週末、いつも一人で過ごしています。友達も忙しく、なかなか会えません。広い家に一人でいると、佐藤さんは少し寂しくなります。テレビを見たり本を読んだりしますが、やはり誰かと話したいと思っています。
佐藤さんはなぜ寂しいと感じていますか？
文章の「広い家に一人でいると、佐藤さんは少し寂しくなります」という部分から、広い家に一人でいることが寂しさの原因だとわかります。
文章の「広い家に一人でいると、佐藤さんは少し寂しくなります」という部分から、広い家に一人でいることが寂しさの原因だとわかります。
田中さんが寂しいと感じる主な理由は何ですか？
Read this passage:
田中さんは、飼っていた犬が先日亡くなり、とても悲しんでいます。家が静かになってしまい、誰も出迎えてくれないので、毎日寂しい気持ちでいっぱいです。新しい犬を飼うことも考えていますが、まだ心の整理がついていません。
田中さんが寂しいと感じる主な理由は何ですか？
「家が静かになってしまい、誰も出迎えてくれないので、毎日寂しい気持ちでいっぱいです」という記述から、犬がいなくなり家が静かになったことが寂しさの主な原因と分かります。
「家が静かになってしまい、誰も出迎えてくれないので、毎日寂しい気持ちでいっぱいです」という記述から、犬がいなくなり家が静かになったことが寂しさの主な原因と分かります。
Aさんはなぜ寂しいと感じていますか？
Read this passage:
Aさんは海外旅行中に、携帯電話をなくしてしまいました。言葉も通じない場所で、連絡手段がなくなり、途方に暮れています。周りの観光客は楽しそうに話していますが、Aさんは一人取り残されたようで、とても寂しいと感じています。
Aさんはなぜ寂しいと感じていますか？
「言葉も通じない場所で、連絡手段がなくなり、途方に暮れています」そして「一人取り残されたようで、とても寂しいと感じています」という記述から、携帯電話をなくして一人でいることが原因だと分かります。
「言葉も通じない場所で、連絡手段がなくなり、途方に暮れています」そして「一人取り残されたようで、とても寂しいと感じています」という記述から、携帯電話をなくして一人でいることが原因だと分かります。
This sentence means 'She felt very lonely.' The correct order is subject, adverb, adjective, verb.
This sentence means 'I'm not lonely when I'm with friends.' The order is 'with friends', 'when together', 'not lonely'.
This sentence means 'Rainy days make me feel lonely.' The order is 'on rainy days', 'lonely', 'feeling', 'become'.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼は友人がいなくてとても＿＿＿です。
The sentence indicates that 'he has no friends', which leads to a feeling of 'loneliness'. 楽しい (fun), 嬉しい (happy), and 忙しい (busy) do not fit the context.
Which of the following situations would most likely make someone feel 寂しい?
寂しい refers to loneliness or sadness due to solitude. Being alone at home aligns best with this definition.
Select the sentence where 寂しい is used incorrectly.
Getting a perfect score is typically a positive event, not one that would cause feelings of loneliness or sadness due to solitude. Therefore, 寂しい is used incorrectly here.
「寂しい」は、賑やかな場所でも感じることがある感情である。(You can feel 'lonely' even in a bustling place.)
Loneliness is a subjective feeling and can be experienced even when surrounded by many people, if one feels disconnected or isolated.
「寂しい」は、楽しい状況で使うことはできない。(You cannot use 'lonely' in a fun situation.)
While 'lonely' primarily conveys sadness or solitude, it can sometimes be used ironically or in specific contexts where a 'fun situation' might still have an underlying feeling of emptiness or longing, though this is less common.
「寂しい」は、人がいない場所に対してのみ使われる。(You only use 'lonely' for places where there are no people.)
While 'lonely' can describe a desolate place, it's primarily an emotion felt by individuals, irrespective of the presence of others. One can feel lonely even in a crowd.
The speaker talks about feeling lonely at night.
Someone moved away, making the town feel lonely.
The office on a holiday feels very quiet and lonely.
Read this aloud:
家族と離れて暮らすのは寂しいですか？
Focus: sa-mi-shii de-su ka
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
友達がいないと、どんなに賑やかな場所でも寂しく感じる。
Focus: ni-gi-ya-ka-na ba-sho de-mo sa-mi-shi-ku kan-ji-ru
You said:
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Read this aloud:
誰もいない部屋で一人で食事をするのは、少し寂しい。
Focus: da-re mo i-nai he-ya de hi-to-ri de sho-ku-ji o su-ru no wa, su-ko-shi sa-mi-shii
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence describes the feeling of loneliness when living alone. '一人暮らし' (hitorigurashi) means 'living alone', '時々' (tokidoki) means 'sometimes', '寂しいと感じる' (sabishii to kanjiru) means 'to feel lonely', and 'ことがある' (koto ga aru) indicates that it's something that happens sometimes.
This sentence expresses missing family who live far away. '遠く離れて' (tooku hanarete) means 'far away', '暮らす' (kurasu) means 'to live', '家族を' (kazoku o) means 'family (object)', and '寂しく思う' (sabishiku omou) means 'to feel lonely for/miss'.
This sentence conveys sadness due to a friend returning to their home country. '友人が' (yūjin ga) means 'my friend (subject)', '帰国してしまって' (kikoku shite shimatte) means 'returned to their home country (with a sense of regret)', and 'とても寂しい' (totemo sabishii) means 'very lonely/sad'.
海外に住むことになったが、家族や友人が恋しくて、とても___気持ちになった。
The context implies missing family and friends, leading to a feeling of loneliness. 「嬉しい」means 'happy', 「楽しい」means 'fun', and 「悲しい」means 'sad' but doesn't quite capture the nuance of solitude.
長年連れ添ったパートナーが亡くなり、彼女は深い___に沈んだ。
The death of a long-term partner would naturally lead to a profound sense of loneliness or solitude, which is best expressed by 「孤独」. 「喜び」means 'joy', 「怒り」means 'anger', and 「満足」means 'satisfaction'.
都会の喧騒の中で生活しているが、ふとした瞬間に言いようのない___を感じることがある。
Even in a bustling city, one can feel an inexpressible sense of loneliness or solitude. 「寂しさ」is the noun form of 'lonely'. 「充実」means 'fulfillment', 「不安」means 'anxiety', and 「興奮」means 'excitement'.
彼はいつも一人でいることを好むが、時折、その選択がもたらす___に苦しんでいるように見える。
Although he prefers solitude, the sentence suggests he sometimes suffers from the loneliness that comes with it. 「寂しさ」fits perfectly. 「自由」means 'freedom', 「責任」means 'responsibility', and 「平和」means 'peace'.
友人が次々と結婚していく中、自分だけが独身でいることに___を感じ始めた。
Seeing friends marry while remaining single often leads to feelings of loneliness. 「寂しさ」is the most appropriate choice. 「焦り」means 'impatience/anxiety', 「幸福」means 'happiness', and 「優越感」means 'sense of superiority'.
遠く離れた故郷を思い出し、胸が締め付けられるような___に襲われた。
Thinking of one's distant hometown and feeling a pang in the chest strongly suggests nostalgia or homesickness, which can be linked to a sense of loneliness for one's past or home, best expressed by 「郷愁」. While 「寂しさ」could also fit, 「郷愁」is a more precise and C1-level nuanced term for this specific feeling. 「歓喜」means 'great joy', 「怒り」means 'anger', and 「恐怖」means 'fear'.
一人で海外に住むのは時々とても寂しいです。
「寂しい」は孤独感や悲しさを表します。
彼女は友達が引っ越してしまって寂しがっています。
友達がいなくなって「寂しがっている」ので、悲しんでいるのが適切です。
週末、誰も家にいなくて寂しい。
誰もいない状況で感じるのは孤独感です。
「寂しい」は、誰かがいないことによって感じる悲しい気持ちを表現する。
「寂しい」は、人とのつながりが欠けていることによる悲しみや孤独を表します。
お祭りやパーティーのような賑やかな場所で「寂しい」と感じることはない。
賑やかな場所にいても、心の中で孤独を感じることはあります。
「寂しい」は、物理的な距離だけでなく、精神的なつながりの欠如も意味することがある。
「寂しい」は、物理的に離れているだけでなく、心の距離や理解不足からくる孤独感にも使われます。
The speaker is describing a feeling of loneliness when alone in an empty room.
The sentence conveys a deep sense of loneliness after someone's departure, like an empty void in his heart.
The speaker expresses a feeling of nostalgia and a touch of loneliness for the lively atmosphere of their hometown after several years away.
Read this aloud:
「寂しい」という感情を具体的に説明してください。どのような状況で、どのような時にその感情を抱きますか？
Focus: じゃまし
You said:
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Read this aloud:
友達が引っ越してしまい、とても寂しいです。この気持ちをどのように表現しますか？
Focus: さびしい
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
一日の終わりに、一人で過ごす時間が寂しいと感じることはありますか？もしあるなら、どのようにその感情と向き合いますか？
Focus: じかんがさびしい
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you're living abroad and feeling a bit isolated. Write a short journal entry (3-4 sentences) expressing your feelings using '寂しい'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
最近、海外で一人で生活していると、時々とても寂しい気持ちになります。特に週末は、友達や家族が恋しくなります。早くみんなに会いたいです。
Describe a scene where someone is looking at an old photo and feeling nostalgic and a little lonely. Use '寂しい' in your description.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
彼女は古いアルバムを開き、色褪せた写真を見つめていた。その写真には、もう戻らない過去の楽しい日々が写っており、彼女の心にじんわりと寂しさが広がった。当時の友達はもうみんな遠くにいる。
You've just moved to a new city and haven't made many friends yet. Write a message to a friend back home, explaining how you feel. Use '寂しい'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
新しい街での生活、少しずつ慣れてきたよ。でも、まだ知り合いも少なくて、時々すごく寂しくなるんだ。早く新しい友達を作りたいな。また近いうちに連絡するね！
この人が特に寂しさを感じるのはいつですか？
Read this passage:
引っ越してから数ヶ月が経ったが、まだ新しい環境に完全に慣れることができないでいる。特に夜になると、一人でいることに寂しさを感じ、故郷の家族や友人のことをよく考える。早くこの寂しさを乗り越えたいと思っている。
この人が特に寂しさを感じるのはいつですか？
文章に「特に夜になると、一人でいることに寂しさを感じ」とあります。
文章に「特に夜になると、一人でいることに寂しさを感じ」とあります。
彼が寂しさを感じた理由は何ですか？
Read this passage:
彼が昔住んでいた町を訪れると、多くの店が閉店しており、かつてのにぎやかさは失われていた。その光景を見て、彼は深い寂しさを覚えた。時間というのは本当に残酷だと感じた。
彼が寂しさを感じた理由は何ですか？
文章に「多くの店が閉店しており、かつてのにぎやかさは失われていた。その光景を見て、彼は深い寂しさを覚えた。」とあります。
文章に「多くの店が閉店しており、かつてのにぎやかさは失われていた。その光景を見て、彼は深い寂しさを覚えた。」とあります。
彼女が寂しいと感じている主な原因は何ですか？
Read this passage:
彼女は長年連れ添ったペットを失い、心にぽっかりと穴が空いたような寂しさを感じている。毎日一緒に過ごした時間が忘れられず、家のどこを見てもその子の思い出が蘇る。
彼女が寂しいと感じている主な原因は何ですか？
文章に「彼女は長年連れ添ったペットを失い、心にぽっかりと穴が空いたような寂しさを感じている。」とあります。
文章に「彼女は長年連れ添ったペットを失い、心にぽっかりと穴が空いたような寂しさを感じている。」とあります。
This sentence expresses that living alone can sometimes make one feel lonely. '一人暮らし' (hitorigurashi) means living alone, '時々' (tokidoki) means sometimes, '寂しいと' (sabishii to) means feeling lonely, and '感じることがある' (kanjiru koto ga aru) means there are times when one feels.
This sentence conveys the feeling of loneliness when in an unfamiliar place without friends. '慣れない土地で' (narenai tochi de) means in an unfamiliar place, '友達がいないと' (tomodachi ga inai to) means if there are no friends, 'とても' (totemo) means very, and '寂しいものだ' (sabishii mono da) expresses that it is indeed lonely.
This sentence describes how a person is spending lonely days after someone has gone overseas. '彼が海外へ' (kare ga kaigai e) means he to overseas, '行ってしまってから' (itte shimatte kara) means after having gone, '彼女は' (kanojo wa) means she, and '寂しい日々を送っている' (sabishii hibi o okutte iru) means she is spending lonely days.
異国での一人暮らしは、最初は自由で楽しかったが、次第に___な気持ちが募っていった。
文脈から、異国での一人暮らしが最初は楽しかったものの、時間が経つにつれて孤独を感じるようになったことが示唆されています。'寂しい' はこの感情に最も適しています。
長年連れ添ったパートナーに先立たれ、彼女は深く___日々に沈んでいた。
パートナーを失った後の感情として、'寂しい' が最も適切です。他の選択肢は文脈に合いません。
休日のオフィスは、誰もいないとひどく___ものだ。
誰もいないオフィスは、孤独感や物足りなさを感じさせることがあります。'寂しい' がその感情をよく表します。
彼の突然の転勤で、親友と離れ離れになるのは___。
親友と離れることへの感情として、'寂しい' は自然な選択です。'残念だ' も近いですが、直接的な感情を表す'寂しい'がより適切です。
子供たちが独立し、夫婦二人だけの生活に戻ると、家の中が___感じられることがあった。
子供たちが巣立った後の家庭の雰囲気として、以前の賑やかさが失われ、孤独を感じることを'寂しい'が表現しています。
昔の仲間たちが集まる場所に行けなくなり、なんだかとても___気持ちになった。
仲間たちとの集まりに参加できないことへの感情として、'寂しい'が適切です。疎外感や孤独感を伴います。
パーティーで一人ぼっちになった時、どんな気持ちになりますか？
「寂しい」は孤独を感じて悲しい気持ちを表します。
遠くに住む家族に会えない時、どんな気持ちになることが多いですか？
家族と離れている状況は、「寂しい」気持ちを引き起こしやすいです。
ペットが亡くなった時、心に感じる感情として最も適切なものはどれですか？
大切な存在を失った時、「寂しい」という感情を強く感じます。
大勢の人に囲まれていても、「寂しい」と感じることはありません。
「寂しい」は物理的な孤独だけでなく、精神的な孤独感から生じることもあります。
「寂しい」は、何かが不足していることに対する不満を表す言葉です。
「寂しい」は孤独や喪失による悲しみを表し、不満とは異なります。
目標を達成した時に感じるのは、「寂しい」気持ちです。
目標達成時は通常、喜びや達成感を感じ、「寂しい」とは反対の感情です。
Imagine you're living abroad and haven't seen your family in a long time. Describe your feelings, using '寂しい'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
海外で一人暮らしをしていると、時々家族に会いたくて寂しくなります。特に日本の祭りの時期や、家族の誕生日には故郷が恋しくなります。早くみんなに会いたいです。
You've just finished a really engaging book series, and now it's over. Write a short journal entry about how you feel about the series ending, incorporating '寂しい'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
読書マラソンを終えて、心にぽっかり穴が空いたような寂しさを感じています。登場人物たちとの別れは、まるで親しい友人とのお別れのようです。この物語の世界観にもう浸れないと思うと、本当に寂しい。
Your best friend is moving to a different country. Write a message to them expressing your sadness and how much you'll miss them, using '寂しい'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
君が遠い国へ引っ越してしまうと聞いて、本当に寂しい気持ちでいっぱいです。一緒に過ごした楽しい思い出がたくさんあって、これから会えなくなると思うと、胸が締め付けられるようです。でも、新しい場所での君の活躍を心から応援しているよ。
この文章において、「寂しさ」はどのような文脈で語られていますか。
Read this passage:
人生の転換期には、新しい環境への期待と同時に、過去との別れに伴う寂しさが常に付きまとう。特に、長年住み慣れた土地を離れる際や、親しい人々との交流が減ることに直面すると、その寂しさは一層深く感じられるものだ。しかし、この寂しさを乗り越えることで、人はより強く、そして新しい繋がりを築くことができるようになる。
この文章において、「寂しさ」はどのような文脈で語られていますか。
文章では、寂しさは人生の転換期に生じる過去との別れに伴う感情であり、それを乗り越えることで新しい繋がりを築ける、と述べられています。
文章では、寂しさは人生の転換期に生じる過去との別れに伴う感情であり、それを乗り越えることで新しい繋がりを築ける、と述べられています。
遠距離恋愛における「寂しさ」について、筆者はどのような見解を示していますか。
Read this passage:
遠距離恋愛は、物理的な距離が二人の心を試す。会いたい時に会えない寂しさは、多くのカップルにとって乗り越えるべき大きな壁となる。しかし、現代のテクノロジーは、ビデオ通話やメッセージアプリを通じて、その寂しさを和らげる手助けをしている。大切なのは、物理的な距離を超えて、いかに心の距離を縮められるかだ。
遠距離恋愛における「寂しさ」について、筆者はどのような見解を示していますか。
文章では、寂しさが遠距離恋愛の課題であることと、テクノロジーがその寂しさを和らげるのに役立つと述べられています。
文章では、寂しさが遠距離恋愛の課題であることと、テクノロジーがその寂しさを和らげるのに役立つと述べられています。
「夕暮れ時、誰もいない公園のベンチに一人座っていると、ふと寂しさがこみ上げてくることがある」という状況について、筆者はどのように解釈していますか。
Read this passage:
夕暮れ時、誰もいない公園のベンチに一人座っていると、ふと寂しさがこみ上げてくることがある。子供たちの笑い声が響いていた昼間の賑やかさが嘘のように、あたりは静寂に包まれる。この一瞬の寂しさは、日中の忙しさの中で見過ごしていた自分の内面と向き合う時間を与えてくれる、と考えることもできる。
「夕暮れ時、誰もいない公園のベンチに一人座っていると、ふと寂しさがこみ上げてくることがある」という状況について、筆者はどのように解釈していますか。
文章の最後で、「この一瞬の寂しさは、日中の忙しさの中で見過ごしていた自分の内面と向き合う時間を与えてくれる、と考えることもできる」と述べられています。
文章の最後で、「この一瞬の寂しさは、日中の忙しさの中で見過ごしていた自分の内面と向き合う時間を与えてくれる、と考えることもできる」と述べられています。
This sentence describes a feeling of deep loneliness due to the absence of friends. The correct order emphasizes the progression from the feeling in the heart to sinking into loneliness.
This sentence describes the profound loneliness experienced in a foreign land. The correct order builds up the context of the unfamiliar environment before revealing the hidden loneliness.
This sentence conveys the deep sense of loneliness and desolation after losing a long-term partner. The correct order establishes the loss first, then the resulting feeling in daily life.
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Summary
寂しい is an i-adjective for expressing loneliness or sadness due to absence.
- Lonely
- Sad from solitude
- Missing someone/something
Basic Meaning of 寂しい
寂しい (さびしい - sabishii) directly translates to lonely. It's used when you feel a sense of solitude or sadness due to being alone.
Grammar: Using 寂しい
寂しい is an i-adjective. This means it can directly modify a noun (e.g., 寂しい人 - a lonely person) or end a sentence (e.g., 寂しいです - I am lonely).
Past Tense of 寂しい
To make 寂しい past tense, change the final い to かった. So, 寂しかった (sabishikatta) means was lonely.
Formal vs. Informal
寂しい can be used informally. For a more polite or formal tone, add です (desu) at the end: 寂しいです. Both mean I am lonely.
Example
友達がいなくて寂しいです。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
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.
