惜
pity · be sparing of · frugal · stingy · regret
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of heart and past. Heart regretting past.
Symbolism
Regrettable, cherish, lament. Represents regretting.
Component Breakdown
heart + 昔
Words & Expressions
Words written with 惜
Four-Character Compounds
可惜身命
あたらしんみょう
valuing one's body and life; holding one's life dear
不惜身命
ふしゃくしんみょう
devoting one's body and soul to Buddhist teachings; unsparing devotion to Buddhism
Proverbs & Idioms
惜しまれつつ
おしまれつつ
Regretfully
While being missed by others
Poetry
忘らるる 身をば思はず 誓ひてし 人のいのちの 惜しくもあるかな
Poem #38 from Hyakunin Isshu
君がため 惜しからざりし 命さへ 長くもがなと 思ひけるかな
Poem #50 from Hyakunin Isshu
恨みわび ほさぬ袖だに あるものを 恋にくちなむ 名こそ惜しけれ
Poem #65 from Hyakunin Isshu
春の夜の 夢ばかりなる 手枕に かひなく立たむ 名こそ惜しけれ
Poem #67 from Hyakunin Isshu
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 惜 mean in Japanese?
惜 means pity, be sparing of, frugal, stingy, regret.
How do you read 惜?
On'yomi: セキ (SEKI). Kun'yomi: お.しい、お.しむ (oshii, oshimu).
How many strokes does 惜 have?
惜 has 11 strokes. Its radical is 心 (heart).
Is 惜 a good kanji for a tattoo?
惜 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means pity, be sparing of, frugal, stingy, regret. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.