哀れむ・憐れむ|あわれむawaremu[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
哀れむ哀れむ is the most common written form, using kanji and kana; it is the form beginners should normally choose when writing.
憐れむ憐れむ is a less common kanji-and-kana variant of 哀れむ; recognize it, but prefer 哀れむ for ordinary use.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto pity; to feel sympathy for; to sympathize with; to sympathise with; to commiserate with; to have mercy on
- godan verb, transitive verbto enjoy the beauty of; to appreciate; to admire
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 哀れむ（あわれむ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 哀れみます（あわれみます） |
| Negative (nai) | 哀れまない（あわれまない） |
| polite (masen) | 哀れみません（あわれみません） |
| classical zu / nu | 哀れまず・哀れまぬ（あわれまず・あわれまぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 哀れんだ（あわれんだ） |
| polite (mashita) | 哀れみました（あわれみました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 哀れまなかった（あわれまなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 哀れみませんでした（あわれみませんでした） |
| Te form | 哀れんで（あわれんで） |
| Potential | 哀れめる（あわれめる） |
| Passive | 哀れまれる（あわれまれる） |
| Causative | 哀れませる（あわれませる） |
| Causative passive | 哀れませられる・哀れまされる（あわれませられる・あわれまされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 哀れめば（あわれめば） |
| tara | 哀れんだら（あわれんだら） |
| Volitional | 哀れもう（あわれもう） |
| polite (mashou) | 哀れみましょう（あわれみましょう） |
| Imperative | 哀れめ（あわれめ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym同情どうじょうNeutralThe most general term: feeling another's pain as if it were your own; say 「同情する」. 「哀れむ」 lays more stress on seeing the other person as pitiable.
- Synonym哀愍あいびんWrittenWritten/formal prose noun that can also take 「する」; means pity but is very rarely used. In everyday speech say 「哀れむ」 or 「同情する」.
- Synonym哀憐あいれんWrittenWritten/formal prose and rarely used: to love and pity someone at once. It carries an extra shade of affection that 「哀れむ」 does not emphasize.
- Synonym憫察びんさつWrittenWritten/formal prose, and rare: to see someone's hardship and feel sympathy for it. In daily speech use 「同情する」 or 「哀れむ」.
- Related思いやるおもいやるNeutralNeutral: to put yourself in another's position and show considerate care; can also mean thinking of someone far away. 「哀れむ」 centers on pity.
- Antonym蔑むさげすむNeutralTo scorn or look down on someone as inferior — the opposite of the sympathetic attitude of 「哀れむ」.
- Antonym妬むねたむNeutralTo envy or resent another person's happiness or strengths; it points the opposite way from 「哀れむ」, which pities misfortune.
- Antonym嫉むそねむNeutralThe same word as 「妬む」, also written 「嫉む」; it likewise contrasts with 「哀れむ」 by begrudging others' good fortune.
For everyday sympathy, 「同情する」 is the default. Use 「哀れむ」 when you view someone as pitiable, and 「思いやる」 for considerate, put-yourself-in-their-shoes care. 「哀愍」「哀憐」「憫察」 are rare written words. The opposites are 「蔑む」 (scorn) and 「妬む」 (envy).
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
