情けない

• 読み: なさけない
• ローマ字: nasakenai
• 漢字の分解: 情 (nasake/jō) — emotion, sympathy, compassion
• 発音: /na.sa.ke.na.i/

意味

Miserable; pitiable; shameful; deplorable; pathetic.

An i-adjective expressing disappointment, shame, or pity. Often directed at oneself — 自分が情けない (I'm pathetic/ashamed of myself) — but also used about situations or others. Carries a strong emotional charge combining embarrassment, frustration, and sadness. The noun form is 情けなさ. Derived from 情け (nasake, compassion/sympathy) + ない (without), originally meaning 'without compassion' but now meaning 'pitiable' or 'deplorable.'

例文

1. こんな簡単な問題が解けないなんて情けない。
2. 自分の弱さが情けなくて涙が出た。
3. 情けない結果に終わってしまった。

使い方ガイド

場面: self-reflection, disappointment, daily life

トーン: emotional

起源と歴史

From native Japanese: 情け (nasake, compassion/pity) + ない (without). Originally meant 'merciless' or 'heartless,' but the meaning shifted over centuries to describe a state so pathetic it invites pity — something lamentable or shameful.

文化的背景

時代: Classical

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal