Translation and Meaning of: 涙 - namida

The Japanese word 「涙」 (namida) has a deep meaning and is widely used in Japanese culture and language to refer to "tears." The etymology of the term 「涙」 traces back to the combination of the kanji characters 「氵」, which is the radical for "water," and 「泪」, which represents "tears." This radical is connected to the idea of liquid and fluidity, which alludes directly to the nature of tears as a visible emotional flow.

In Japanese, 「涙」 is not limited to the physical act of shedding a tear; the word carries nuances of emotion, sadness, and release. There are various idiomatic expressions and traditional phrases where 「涙」 is a crucial part. For example, 「涙無しでは語れない」 (namida nashi de wa katarenai) means "indescribable without tears," highlighting situations or stories so moving that they are inevitably accompanied by tears.

The origin of the use of the word can be traced back to ancient times, where Japanese poetry and legends often referenced tears as a symbol of purity and emotional sincerity. In Noh and Kabuki theater, tears are often used to convey intense emotions, allowing the audience to feel the depth of the characters' suffering or joy. Furthermore, in popular songs, the expression of a tearful heart is a recurring theme, symbolizing the universality of the human experience of pain and joy.

Moreover, 「涙」 has variations in use such as 「涙ぐむ」 (namida gumu), which is a verb meaning "to be about to cry," and 「涙を流す」 (namida o nagasu), which literally means "to shed tears." These different uses reflect the flexibility of the term in the Japanese language, highlighting both physical actions and emotional states. Therefore, 「涙」 plays a significant role not only in daily communication but also in the arts and cultural expressions of Japan.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

涙滴 (namida-teki) - Gotas de lágrimas.
涙 (namida) - Lágrima; o ato de chorar.
泪 (lei) - Another term for tear, used in more poetic contexts.
眼泪 (yanlei) - Tear from the eyes; often refers to the emotion expressed through crying.
涙腺 (namida-sen) - Lacrimal gland; where tears are produced.
涙袋 (namida-bukuro) - Tear sacs; areas under the eyes that can swell with tears or emotion.
涙声 (namida-goe) - Tearful voice; speak with intense emotion that usually accompanies crying.
涙流し (namida-nagashi) - The act of letting the tears flow.
涙雨 (namida-ame) - Rain of tears; poetic, can symbolize sadness or continuous crying.
涙痕 (namida-kizu) - Marks or traces left by tears; it can refer to emotional scars.
涙状態 (namida-joutai) - State of being in tears; description of an emotional condition.
涙流出する (namida-ryuushutsu suru) - Download tears; the act of crying intensely.