いじらしい

いじらしい
i-adjective
touching; pitiful; heartwarming
descriptive
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Presentいじらしいいじらしくない
Pastいじらしかったいじらしくなかった
て formいじらしくていじらしくなくて
Adverbialいじらしく—
Conditional ばいじらしければいじらしくなければ
Conditional たらいじらしかったらいじらしくなかったら
1. touching; heartwarming
Evoking sympathy and affection, especially when someone weaker or younger tries hard despite difficulties.
幼(おさな)い弟(おとうと)が一生懸命(いっしょうけんめい)手伝(てつだ)おうとする姿(すがた)がいじらしい。
It's touching how my little brother tries so hard to help.
親(おや)を心配(しんぱい)させまいと我慢(がまん)している子供(こども)の姿(すがた)がいじらしかった。
It was touching to see the child enduring so as not to worry their parents.
いじらしいほど健気(けなげ)に頑張(がんば)っている。
They're working so bravely it's touching.
  • いじらしい → いじらしく (adverbial)
  • いじらしい → いじらしくない (negative)
  • いじらしい → いじらしかった (past)
  • いじらしい → いじらしさ (noun form)

Usage

Describes a feeling of warm sympathy mixed with admiration, typically toward someone weaker or younger who is trying their best. Often used for children, animals, or people in difficult situations showing courage.
Always positive and sympathetic. The speaker feels moved by the subject's earnest efforts despite vulnerability. Different from かわいそう, which is purely pitying — いじらしい includes admiration for the subject's spirit.

Similar words

Related Words

Related: 健気(けなげ) (brave/admirable)
Compare: かわいそう (pitiful (pity without admiration))
Compare: 可愛(かわい)らしい (adorable, charming)
Compare: 切(せつ)ない (heartrending, poignant)
Compare: 愛(いと)おしい (dear, lovable, precious)
general
Added 2026.1.18 13:42 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
06500/06706_ijirashii