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.
情けをかけてくれた人を忘れない。
I won't forget the person who showed me kindness.
情けは人の為ならず。
Kindness is not (just) for others' sake. (proverb)
This proverb means that kindness eventually comes back to benefit you.
情け深い人だ。
He is a compassionate person.
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/pity)
- 情けない (pathetic, shameful - note different meaning!)
- 情け深い (compassionate, tender-hearted)
- 情けは人の為ならず (proverb: kindness benefits oneself too)
NOTE ON 情けない:
情けない looks like the negative of 情け but means "pathetic" or "shameful"—something that makes you feel ashamed of yourself or that situation.
- 自分が情けない (I'm pathetic/ashamed of myself)
NUANCE:
情け has a warm, human quality suggesting genuine concern. It's often used in the context of helping those in difficult situations.
RELATED KANJI COMPOUND:
- 人情 (human kindness, sympathy)
- 愛情 (love, affection)