哀
sorrow, pity, lament
Readings
- On
- アイ
- Kun
- あわ(れ)
Examples
哀れ（あわれ）、哀愁（あいしゅう）、悲哀（ひあい）
pity, melancholy, sorrow
Note
On-reading (アイ) is used in compounds; kun-reading (あわ(れ)) is used standalone or with okurigana. Appears in many compounds — memorize the key ones rather than the kanji in isolation. Has multiple meanings (sorrow; pity; lament). Context determines which applies — pay attention in reading passages. This kanji forms verbs/adjectives with okurigana. Practice both the word form and compound forms.
Questions that use this word
N2 1 · N1 7From the JLP Quiz question bank — the word in the form it is actually tested in.
- N1N1 漢字
「哀愁漂う」の意味として最も適切なものはどれか。
Answer: もの悲しい雰囲気が漂っている様子
- N1N1 文法
被災地の映像を見るにつけ、哀しみ___。
Answer: にたえない
- N2N2 漢字
「哀悼」の読み方は？
Answer: あいとう
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