Meaning
The kanji 悼 means 'to mourn,' 'to grieve,' 'to lament,' or 'to condole.' It conveys the deep sorrow and sadness felt when someone passes away, or sometimes for a significant loss or misfortune. This emotion often includes a sense of regret or pity for the deceased or the unfortunate circumstance, expressing heartfelt sorrow.
Like many complex kanji, 悼 is a 形声字 (keisei moji), a semantic-phonetic compound. Its left radical, 忄 (risshinben), is a variant of 心 (kokoro), meaning 'heart' or 'mind.' This component clearly shows the kanji's meaning is deeply rooted in emotion and sentiment, pointing to an internal feeling of sadness. The right component, 卓, typically means 'table,' 'eminent,' or 'outstanding.' In this context, 卓 mainly serves as the phonetic component, suggesting the character's ancient sound rather than directly contributing to its meaning of sorrow. Some interpretations, however, connect 卓 with a sense of 'standing out' or 'being prominent.' This could hint at a grief that is profound, conspicuous, and undeniably present. Thus, the combination of a 'heart' filled with strong emotion and a phonetic element forms a character signifying deep lamentation and mourning, often for someone 'eminent' or significant in one's life.
The kanji 悼 has 11 strokes. It is a 常用漢字 (Jōyō Kanji), meaning it's designated for general use in Japanese publications. For the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), it is an N1 level kanji, indicating its advanced usage and recognition by learners.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi, or Chinese-derived reading, for 悼 is トウ (TŌ). This reading is primarily used in compound words, especially those with a formal or solemn tone, and often appears in contexts related to memorial services, condolences, or expressing lamentation for the deceased.
- 追悼 (tsuitō) — Meaning 'memorial' or 'commemoration of the dead,' this compound refers to remembering and honoring someone who has passed, often in a ceremony or event.
- 哀悼 (aitō) — This term means 'lamentation' or 'condolence,' and is used to express deep sorrow and sympathy for a loss. It's a common formal expression in situations of bereavement.
- 悼辞 (tōji) — Referring to a 'eulogy' or 'memorial address,' this is a speech delivered to praise and honor someone who has died, typically at a funeral or memorial service.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi, or native Japanese reading, for 悼 is いたむ (itamu). This reading is used for the verb form and means 'to mourn' or 'to grieve.' It's often used to express a personal and heartfelt act of sorrow for someone's death or a profound loss.
- 悼む (itamu) — As an intransitive verb, it means 'to mourn,' 'to grieve,' or 'to lament.' It describes the act of feeling and showing sorrow for someone's passing, highlighting the emotional experience involved.
- 友の死を悼む (tomo no shi o itamu) — Meaning 'to mourn the death of a friend,' this phrase indicates a personal and heartfelt expression of grief and sadness for a close companion.
- 犠牲者を悼む (giseisha o itamu) — This translates to 'to mourn the victims,' highlighting the act of expressing sorrow and sympathy for those who have suffered a loss, especially in tragedies or disasters.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 悼 appears in various compounds, mainly related to mourning, remembrance, and expressing condolences. These words are often used in formal or solemn contexts, particularly when dealing with death or significant loss.
Expressions of Mourning & Condolence:
追悼 (tsuitō) — memorial, commemoration. Used for ceremonies or events remembering the dead and honoring their legacy.
哀悼 (aitō) — lamentation, condolence. A formal expression of deep sympathy for a loss, often conveyed in written or spoken form.
弔悼 (chōtō) — mourning, condolence. A more literary or formal term, combining the ideas of visiting the bereaved and expressing grief.
慰悼 (itō) — consolation for the bereaved. The act of comforting and offering solace to those who are grieving.
Actions & Speeches Related to Commemoration:
悼む (itamu) — to mourn, grieve. The direct verb form expressing sorrow, often used in personal contexts.
悼辞 (tōji) — eulogy, memorial address. A speech specifically prepared and delivered to honor the deceased's life and contributions.
悼歌 (tōka) — dirge, lament. A song or poem composed and performed to express sorrow for someone's death or a tragic event.
悼書 (tōsho) — letter of condolence. A written message sent to the bereaved family to express sympathy and support.
Contexts & Extended Concepts:
追悼式 (tsuitōshiki) — memorial service. A formal gathering held to remember and honor the deceased, often including prayers, speeches, and reflections.
哀悼の意 (aitō no i) — expression of condolences. A common and respectful phrase used to convey sympathy and share in the grief of others.
悼友 (tōyū) — deceased friend. A literary or poetic term for a friend who has passed away, emphasizing the lost bond.
悼惜 (tōseki) — to lament, to regret deeply. To feel sorrow and deep regret over a loss, often accompanied by a sense of missing what once was.
Example Sentences
故人を悼み、友人たちは静かに集まった。
Kojin o itami, yūjintachi wa shizuka ni atsumatta.
Mourning the deceased, the friends gathered quietly.
彼の早すぎる死を悼み、心からお悔やみ申し上げます。
Kare no hayasugiru shi o itami, kokoro kara okuyami mōshiagemasu.
Mourning his untimely death, I offer my deepest condolences from the bottom of my heart.
追悼式では、参列者が皆、故人を悼んだ。
Tsuitōshiki de wa, sanretsusha ga mina, kojin o itanda.
At the memorial service, all attendees mourned the deceased.
大災害の犠牲者を悼むため、全国的に黙祷が捧げられた。
Daisaigai no giseisha o itamu tame, zenkokuteki ni mokutō ga sasagerareta.
To mourn the victims of the great disaster, a nationwide moment of silence was observed.
彼女は愛犬の死を悼み、しばらくは元気がなかった。
Kanojo wa aiken no shi o itami, shibaraku wa genki ga nakatta.
Mourning the death of her beloved dog, she was downhearted for a while.
哀悼の意を込め、市長が悼辞を読み上げた。
Aitō no i o kome, shichō ga tōji o yomiageta.
Expressing condolences, the mayor read a eulogy.
戦争で亡くなった多くの人々を悼む碑が建てられた。
Sensō de nakunatta ooku no hitobito o itamu hi ga taterareta.
A monument was erected to mourn the many people who died in the war.
彼女は、友人が若くして逝ったことを悼み、涙を流した。
Kanojo wa, yūjin ga wakaku shite itta koto o itami, namida o nagashita.
Mourning her friend who passed away young, she shed tears.
世界中の人々が、あの悲劇の犠牲者を悼んだ。
Sekaijū no hitobito ga, ano higeki no giseisha o itanda.
People all over the world mourned the victims of that tragedy.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 悼, focus on its two distinct components: the left radical 忄 (heart) and the right component 卓 (table/eminent). Imagine your heart (忄) overwhelmed with deep sorrow. It feels like it's standing prominently or on a table (卓) for everyone to witness. This image of your heart openly displaying deep grief and lamentation for someone lost—perhaps an 'eminent' figure in your life—can be a powerful mnemonic for 'to mourn' or 'to grieve.' The combination of a deeply emotional 'heart' and the visual of sorrow being 'prominent' can help you remember the meaning of 悼.