心細い

• Reading: こころぼそい
• Romaji: kokorobosoi
• Kanji breakdown: 心 (kokoro) — heart, mind; 細 (hosoi) — thin, slender, fine
• Pronunciation: /ko.ko.ɾo.bo.so.i/

Meaning

Helpless; forlorn; lonely; anxious. Describes a feeling of insecurity or vulnerability when lacking support.

An i-adjective expressing the feeling of being alone, unsupported, or anxious about one's situation. Evokes vulnerability rather than simple loneliness — the sense that one lacks the resources, companions, or knowledge to cope. Common in situations like travelling alone, being in an unfamiliar place, or facing challenges without support. Distinct from 寂しい (lonely/missing someone), which focuses on emotional longing rather than insecurity.

Examples

1. 初めての海外で言葉も通じず心細かった。 I felt anxious when I couldn't communicate during my first time abroad.
2. 一人暮らしを始めたばかりで心細い。 I feel insecure now that I've just started living on my own.
3. 頼れる人がいないのは心細いものだ。 It's a helpless feeling when you have no one to rely on.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, daily life, emotional expression

Tone: vulnerable

Origin & History

A compound of 心 (kokoro, heart) + 細い (hosoi, thin/slender). Literally 'thin-hearted' — the image of a heart that feels fragile and insubstantial, lacking the strength or support to feel secure.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal