Japanese · Emotions & Feelings
寂しい
sabishii
Lonely / Lonesome
Intermediateadjective
Definition
Describes a feeling of sadness from being alone or missing someone. Japan's increasing social isolation is a modern concern, leading to concepts like hikikomori (social withdrawal).
Example
一人で食事するのは少し寂しいです。
Eating alone is a little lonely.
Etymology
寂しい (sabishii) originally referred to an emotional state of being alone and has roots in classical literature. It emphasizes feelings of isolation and solitude.
How & Where It’s Used
寂しい is commonly used in speaking and informal writing, usually to describe emotional states. It resonates across various regions in Japan without significant variations.