1.
compassion; pity; sympathy; kindness
A feeling of care and concern for someone who is suffering or in difficulty. The warmth of human feeling that leads one to help others.
Kindness is not (just) for others' sake. (proverb)
This proverb means that kindness eventually comes back to benefit you.
2.
love; affection (literary/classical)
Romantic love or deep affection, especially in classical or literary contexts.
Common expressions
- 情けをかける (to show compassion, to take pity on)
- 情け深い (compassionate, tender-hearted)
- 情けは人の為ならず (proverb: kindness you show comes back to you)
NOTE ON 情けない:
情けない looks like the negative of 情け, but it means "pathetic" or "shameful" — something that makes you ashamed.
Usage
情け is warm and human, suggesting genuine concern for someone in difficulty. Note that 情けをかける can also carry a note of condescension — pity from a position of strength — so it is not a neutral way to describe helping a peer.