Meaning

Primary

Lonely

Alternatives

Lonesome, Solitary, Desolate

Word Type

い adjective

Explanation

This is a single kanji with an on the end, meaning you know it's probably an adjective. What's the adjective form of lonely? It's still lonely!

Reading

さびしい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)
さみしい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn this reading yet, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

No one is as lonely as a sad bee (さび). The sad bee is sad because it has no friends and that makes is super lonely. Poor sad bee.

Context

Context Sentences

やっぱり一人暮らしは寂しいです。

As I thought, the single life is lonely.

Kanji Composition