もらい泣(な)き

もらいなき
noun
sympathetic crying; crying along with someone
emotion
1. sympathetic crying; crying along with someone
crying induced by seeing or hearing someone else cry; tears that are 'caught' from others
映画(えいが)でもらい泣(な)きした。
I cried along with the characters in the movie.
友達(ともだち)の話(はなし)を聞(き)いてもらい泣(な)きしてしまった。
I ended up crying too while listening to my friend's story.
卒業式(そつぎょうしき)では皆(みんな)がもらい泣(な)きしていた。
At the graduation ceremony, everyone was crying, set off by one another's tears.

Etymology

もらう (to receive) + 泣(な)き (crying)
Literally "received crying" - tears that you "catch" from others.

Usage

This is genuine crying triggered by empathy, distinct from 嘘泣(うそな)き (fake crying). It reflects emotional sensitivity and connection with others.

  • Watching sad movies or TV shows
  • Attending weddings or funerals
  • Hearing emotional stories from friends
  • Graduation ceremonies

Common patterns

  • もらい泣(な)きする - to cry sympathetically
  • もらい泣(な)きしやすい - prone to sympathetic crying

Related words

Related Words

Related: 共感(きょうかん) (empathy)
Related: 嘘泣(うそな)き (fake crying)
general
Added 2026.1.27 12:47 · Revised 2026.10.5 9:35
08000/08464_morainaki