涙・泪・涕|なみだnamida[1]atamadaka (head-high)
なみたnamitaokなだnadaokなんだnandaok
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Which spelling to use
涙涙 is the most common written form and the default choice for beginners, who can use it whenever they need to write this word.
泪泪 is a kanji-only variant that is rarely used, so learners will seldom encounter it and generally need not choose it for writing.
涕涕 is a kanji-only variant that is rarely used, so learners will seldom encounter it and generally need not choose it for writing.
Definitions
- nountear; tears; lachrymal secretion
- nounsympathy
Synonyms & antonyms
- Related泣きなきNeutralThe act of crying, mostly in compounds such as 「泣き顔」 and 「泣き声」; it points to the action, not the tears.
- Related嗚咽おえつWrittenA written word for choking sobs, as in 「嗚咽を漏らす」; it names the sound of crying, not the tears themselves.
- Related歔欷きょきWrittenA written word for sobbing; almost never used in modern Japanese.
- Relatedすすり泣きすすりなきNeutralHitching, broken sobs, as in 「すすり泣きが聞こえる」; it describes the way someone cries.
- Related啼泣ていきゅうWrittenA written word for crying aloud, wailing; rare in modern Japanese.
- Antonym笑いわらいNeutralLaughter; it stands opposite 「涙」 in the pairing of crying and laughing.
Use 「涙」 for tears themselves or, figuratively, for sympathy. For the act of crying say 「泣き」, for sobbing 「すすり泣き」 or 「嗚咽」; the opposite of 「涙」 is 「笑い」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
