Japanese symbol for “pathetic”
可哀想
かわいそう
Romaji: kawaisou
poor; pitiable; pathetic; pitiful
In Japanese, pathetic is 可哀想, read かわいそう (kawaisou).
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
- adj-na, n poor; pitiable; pathetic; pitiful
Written forms: 可哀想、可哀相、可哀そう、可愛そう. Readings: かわいそう.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “pathetic”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 情けない | なさけない nasakenai | miserable; pitiable; shameful |
| 悲愴 | ひそう hisou | pathetic; sad; sorrowful |
| 痛々しい | いたいたしい itaitashii | pitiful; pathetic; painful (to look at) |
| 哀切 | あいせつ aisetsu | pathetic; plaintive |
| 哀れ | あわれ aware | pitiable; pitiful; pathetic |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 可能 | かのう kanou | possible; potential; practicable |
| 許可 | きょか kyoka | permission; approval; authorization |
| 不可能 | ふかのう fukanou | impossible |
| 可愛い | かわいい kawaii | cute; adorable; charming |
| 認可 | にんか ninka | approval; license; licence |
| 哀れ | あわれ aware | pity; sorrow; grief |
| 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 |
| 予想 | よそう yosou | expectation; anticipation; prediction |
See also: Chinese symbol for “pathetic”.
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.