Translation and Meaning of: 不幸 - fukou

The Japanese word 「不幸」 (fukou) is composed of the kanji 「不」 and 「幸」. 「不」 means "not" or "negative," and it is a prefix that denotes negation or lack of something. It is often used in Japanese words to transform the meaning into something opposite or undesirable. On the other hand, the kanji 「幸」 means "happiness" or "fortune." Therefore, the combination of the two characterizes a state of "unhappiness" or "misfortune."

The expression "fukou" is used in Japanese to describe situations or feelings of sadness, bad luck, or misfortune. This term can be applied to both specific events in a person's life and their overall situation or permanent emotional state. In Japan, where the culture often values resilience and overcoming difficulties, the word "fukou" reminds everyone of the aspects of life that are sometimes inevitable.

In Japanese literature, the expression appears frequently, often symbolizing deeper themes of personal tragedy or emotional challenges. Japanese authors use "fukou" as a tool to explore the complexity of the human condition, weaving narratives that reflect the internal and external struggles of characters with their own destinies. It is also a concept explored in philosophical works that question the nature of happiness and the role of fate in human life. Thus, "fukou" is not just a word, but a concept that invites reflection on the experiences that make up the journey of life.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 不運 (fuun) - Bad luck; misfortune.
• 悲運 (hiun) - Sad fate; misfortune.
• 悲劇 (higeki) - Tragedy; tragic situation.
• 悲しみ (kanashimi) - Sadness; emotional suffering.
• 不遇 (fuguu) - Misfortune; lack of recognition or opportunities.
• 災難 (sainan) - Disaster; calamity; serious misfortune.
• 惨事 (sanji) - Tragic event; regrettable incident.
• 惨状 (sanjou) - Tragic condition; dinner of suffering.
• 惨め (mijime) - Despairing; miserable; unhappy.
• 悲惨 (hisan) - Tragic; regrettable; extreme suffering.
• 不幸な (fukouna) - Unlucky; unfortunate.
• 不幸な出来事 (fukouna dekigoto) - Unfortunate event; unfortunate occurrence.

不幸

Romaji: fukou
Kana: ふこう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: unhappiness; sadness; misfortune; disaster; accident; death; death

Meaning in English: unhappiness;sorrow;misfortune;disaster;accident;death

Definition: To suffer an unexpected disaster, sadness, or suffering.

Example Sentences - (不幸) fukou

See below some example sentences:

不幸な出来事が起こってしまった。

Fukou na dekigoto ga okotte shimatta

An unfortunate event occurred.

• 不幸な - unhappy, unlucky
• 出来事 - event, incident
• が - subject particle
• 起こってしまった - happened, occurred

私は不幸な出来事に遭いました。

Watashi wa fukou na dekigoto ni auimashita

I encountered an unfortunate situation.

I have an unfortunate event.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicates the theme of the sentence
• 不幸な (fukou na) - unfortunate
• 出来事 (dekigoto) - noun that means "event" or "occurrence"
• に (ni) - particle that indicates action or destination
• 遭いました (awai mashita) - The verb that means "to find" or "to go through," conjugated in the polite past tense is "見つけました" (mitsukemashita) or "通りました" (toorimashita) depending on the specific meaning.