寂しい

• Reading: さびしい
• Romaji: sabishii
• Kanji breakdown: 寂 (sabi/seki/jaku) — lonely, solitary, desolate
• Pronunciation: /sa.bi.ɕi.i/

Meaning

Lonely; lonesome; solitary; desolate. Describes a feeling of isolation or missing someone.

An i-adjective expressing loneliness or a sense of emptiness from being alone or missing someone. Can also be read as さみしい — both readings are correct and common. Used for both emotional loneliness and desolate places. Conjugates regularly: 寂しくない, 寂しかった, 寂しくなかった.

Examples

1. 一人で住んでいて寂しいです。 I live alone and feel lonely.
2. 友達が引っ越して寂しくなりました。 I became lonely after my friend moved away.
3. 寂しい時は家族に電話します。 When I'm feeling lonely, I call my family.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, emotions, relationships

Tone: negative

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 寂 combines the roof radical 宀 with 叔 (younger), evoking the quiet emptiness of a house where someone is missing.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal