Translation and Meaning of: 惨め - mijime

The word 「惨め」 (mijime) is an adjective in Japanese that describes a state of misery, sadness, or despair. Etymologically, the word is composed of the kanji 「惨」, which can also be read as "san" or "zan", and means cruel, severe, or disastrous. This kanji carries the idea of extreme suffering, which already suggests the intrinsic meaning of something truly distressing.

The origin of the word dates back to ancient times, when Japanese society had a very clear view of the different nuances of emotion and suffering. Historically, the expression 「惨め」 was used to describe situations of great misfortune or desolation, from personal crises to natural disasters that destabilized entire communities. The term evokes a deep feeling of compassion and, at the same time, serves as a reminder of human fragility in the face of adversity.

In everyday life, 「惨め」 (mijime) can be used to describe not only external scenarios but also internal states of mind. For example, someone may feel 「惨め」 when facing public humiliation or when experiencing a particularly significant failure. This flexibility in application demonstrates how the word captures both physical and emotional suffering. Furthermore, variations of this word, such as 「惨めさ」 (mijimesa) that indicates the "miserable nature" or "misery" of a situation, are often used to convey the same type of despair or sadness, highlighting the universality and relevance of the concept.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

哀れ (aware) - Deep sadness, feeling of compassion.
悲惨 (hisan) - Disaster, tragic and cruel situation.
悲しい (kanashii) - Sad, painful.
悲しみ深い (kanashimi fukai) - Intense sadness, depth of pain.
惨状 (sanjou) - Horrible situation, tragic vision.
惨めな (mijime na) - Desolate, miserable.
悲しむ (kanashimu) - Feel sadness, lament.
悲しい気持ちになる (kanashii kimochi ni naru) - To feel sad, to experience sadness.
悲しい出来事 (kanashii dekigoto) - Sad event, an event that causes pain.
悲しい結末 (kanashii ketsumatsu) - Sad ending, painful conclusion.
悲しい思い出 (kanashii omoide) - Sad memory, painful recollection.
悲しい顔 (kanashii kao) - Sad face, expression of pain.
悲しい目 (kanashii me) - Sad eyes, a gaze that expresses pain.
悲しい声 (kanashii koe) - Sad voice, a tone that expresses discouragement.
悲しい歌 (kanashii uta) - Sad music, a song that evokes sadness.
悲しいニュース (kanashii nyuusu) - Sad news, accounts of painful events.
悲しい映画 (kanashii eiga) - Sad movie, a cinematic work that provokes tears.
悲しい物語 (kanashii monogatari) - Sad story, a narrative that addresses pain.
悲しい現実 (kanashii genjitsu) - Sad reality, a fact that brings disappointment.
悲しい未来 (kanashii mirai) - Sad future, distressing life outlook.
悲しい過去 (kanashii kako) - Sad past, reminiscences that cause pain.
悲しい人生 (kanashii jinsei) - Sad life, a journey of existences marked by pain.
悲しい世界 (kanashii sekai) - Sad world, global reality of suffering.
悲しい状況 (kanashii joukyou) - Sad situation, a circumstance that generates desolation.