悲: the kanji for sad
悲 is a JLPT N3 kanji that means sad. Below are its readings, 2 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
悲 is written in 12 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
悲 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 2 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ヒ (hi)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 悲劇ひげき · higeki | tragedy |
かなしい (kanashii)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 悲しいかなしい · kanashii | sad |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- その事故は悲劇でした。Sono jiko wa higeki deshita.That accident was a tragedy.
- 友達との別れは悲しかった。Tomodachi to no wakare wa kanashikatta.Saying goodbye to my friend was sad.
- 彼女はその知らせに悲しんだ。Kanojo wa sono shirase ni kanashinda.She was saddened by that news.
- 悲しい映画を見て泣いてしまった。Kanashii eiga o mite naite shimatta.I watched a sad movie and cried.
- その物語は悲劇的な結末だった。Sono monogatari wa higekiteki na ketsumatsu datta.That story had a tragic ending.
Questions about 悲
How many strokes does 悲 have?
悲 is written in 12 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 悲?
The on readings are hi (ヒ). The kun readings are kanashii (かなしい), kanashimu (かなしむ).
What JLPT level is 悲?
N3. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N3 falls between the former Levels 2 and 3.
More JLPT N3 kanji
Feelings and emotions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 悲
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.