sad
N3- Onyomi
- ヒ
- Kunyomi
- かな(しい)
- Stroke count
- 12
- JLPT
- N3
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 悲 down and you get 非 (wrong / not) — two wings spread apart, feathers pointing in opposite directions, and beside it 心 (heart / feeling) — a heart, the seat of how you feel. Picture a heart-shaped lantern glowing on its string, put 悲 inside it, and let that scene stand for "sad" — sad. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 12
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は12画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 12 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
悲しい
kanashii
sad
悲しいです
kanashiidesu
polite: is sad
悲しくないです
kanashikunaidesu
polite negative: is not sad
悲しかったです
kanashikattadesu
polite past: was sad
Example sentences (3)
その話を聞いて悲しくなりました。
その はなし を きいて かなしく なりました。
sono hanashi o kiite kanashiku narimashita.
Hearing that story made me sad.
友だちが国へ帰るので、少し悲しいです。
ともだち が くに へ かえる ので、すこし かなしい です。
tomodachi ga kuni e kaeru node, sukoshi kanashii desu.
My friend is going back home, so I am a little sad.
映画が悲しくて、最後まで泣いてしまいました。
えいが が かなしくて、さいご まで ないて しまいました。
eiga ga kanashikute, saigo made naite shimaimashita.
The movie was sad, and I ended up crying right to the end.