もらい泣(な)き

もらいなき
noun
sympathetic crying; catching tears
1. sympathetic crying; catching tears from others
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 caught tears watching 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。
Everyone was catching tears from each other at the graduation ceremony.

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

NUANCE:
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.

COMMON SITUATIONS:

  • 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:

  • 共感(きょうかん) - empathy
  • 涙(なみだ)もろい - quick to tears, easily moved
general
Added 2026.1.27 12:47
08000/08464_morainaki