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How to say 'Pitiful' in Japanese | 可哀想

Wondering how to say 'Pitiful' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Pitiful is 'Kawaisou', written as 可哀想 in Japanese.'Pitiful' in hiragana is かわいそう.

    Meaning

    Pitiful

    Reading

    かわいそう

    kawaisou

    Kanji

    Possible Pity, Sorrow Concept

    Explanation

    The Japanese adjectival noun '可哀想 (かわいそう)' means 'pitiful' or 'deserving of sympathy'. It is used to express a feeling of pity or compassion towards someone or something in an unfortunate situation. This word is often used when observing someone's suffering, misfortune, or hardship. For example: That stray dog looks pitiful「その野良犬は可哀想だ」(そののらいぬはかわいそうだ). I feel sorry for her「彼女が可哀想だ」(かのじょがかわいそうだ). It can also be used to describe situations or objects that evoke a sense of sadness or sympathy, such as a broken toy or a neglected plant. The nuance is empathetic and often carries a sense of wanting to help or comfort the subject.

    Part Of Speech

    adjectival noun

    Kanji JLPT

    Unknown

    Kanji Grade

    8

    Frequency

    3764

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 可哀想

This word contains 3 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Possible

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Pity, Sorrow

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Concept

Words Related to 可哀想 Through the Kanji

These 13 Words contain the Kanji 可 as well.

  • word

    可能

    Meaning

    Possible

  • word

    可成

    Meaning

    Quite

  • word

    可愛い

    Meaning

    Cute

  • word

    可笑しい

    Meaning

    Strange, Funny

  • word

    成る可く

    Meaning

    As much as possible

  • word

    不可欠

    Meaning

    Essential

  • word

    可愛らしい

    Meaning

    Adorable

  • word

    可愛がる

    Meaning

    Dote

  • word

    許可

    Meaning

    Permission

  • word

    不可能

    Meaning

    Impossible

  • word

    Meaning

    Possible

  • word

    認可

    Meaning

    Approval

  • word

    可笑しな

    Meaning

    Strange

Words Related to 可哀想 Through the Kanji

This Word contains the Kanji 哀 as well.

  • word

    哀れ

    Meaning

    Pity

Words Related to 可哀想 Through the Kanji

These 11 Words contain the Kanji 想 as well.

  • word

    思想

    Meaning

    Thought, Ideology

  • word

    理想

    Meaning

    Ideal

  • word

    発想

    Meaning

    Idea

  • word

    空想

    Meaning

    Daydream

  • word

    構想

    Meaning

    Plan, Conception

  • word

    想定

    Meaning

    Assumption

  • word

    感想

    Meaning

    Impression

  • word

    幻想

    Meaning

    Illusion, Fantasy

  • word

    予想

    Meaning

    Expectation, Prediction

  • word

    想像

    Meaning

    Conception, Imagination

  • word

    連想

    Meaning

    Association

Learn the Word 可哀想

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What does 'Kawaisou' (可哀想) mean?

'Kawaisou' means 'Pitiful' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.