1.
loneliness, solitude
The state of being alone; can be negative (lonely) or neutral (solitary).
孤独を感じる。
To feel lonely.
孤独な人生を送っている。
They're living a lonely life.
孤独死を防ぐ取り組み。
Efforts to prevent dying alone.
孤独 means loneliness or solitude, functioning as both a noun and na-adjective.
FORMS:
- Na-adjective: 孤独な生活 (lonely life)
- Noun: 孤独を感じる (to feel lonely)
- Adverb: 孤独に生きる (to live in solitude)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 孤独を味わう: to experience loneliness
- 孤独に耐える: to endure solitude
- 孤独死: dying alone (social issue in Japan)
- 孤独感: feeling of loneliness
NUANCE:
Can describe either unwanted loneliness or chosen solitude. Context determines whether negative (lonely) or neutral/positive (solitary).
RELATED:
- 孤立: isolation (often forced or circumstantial)
- 寂しい: lonely (emotional feeling)