Japanese symbol for “misery”
哀れ
あわれ
Romaji: aware
pity; sorrow; grief; misery
In Japanese, misery is 哀れ, read あわれ (aware).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- n pity; sorrow; grief; misery; compassion; pathos
- adj-na pitiable; pitiful; pathetic; miserable
- int alack; alas
Written forms: 哀れ、憐れ、憫れ. Readings: あわれ、あはれ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “misery”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 地獄 | じごく jigoku | hell; misery; nightmare |
| 憂き目 | うきめ ukime | bitter experience; misery; distress |
| 難渋 | なんじゅう nanjuu | suffering; distress; difficulty |
| 塗炭 | とたん totan | misery; distress |
| 哀 | あい ai | pity; sorrow; grief |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 可哀想 | かわいそう kawaisou | poor; pitiable; pathetic |
| 哀愁 | あいしゅう aishuu | pathos; sorrow; grief |
| 喜怒哀楽 | きどあいらく kidoairaku | human emotions (joy, anger, grief and pleasure); feelings |
| 哀悼 | あいとう aitou | condolence; regret; tribute |
| 悲哀 | ひあい hiai | sorrow; grief; sadness |
See also: Chinese symbol for “misery”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.