惻隠(そくいん)

そくいん
noun
compassion; sympathy
1. compassion; sympathy; pity for others' suffering
A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for the suffering or misfortune of others. A classical term often associated with Confucian philosophy.
惻隠(そくいん)の情(じょう)を抱(いだ)く。
To feel compassion.
惻隠(そくいん)の心(こころ)は人間(にんげん)の本性(ほんせい)だ。
The capacity for compassion is human nature.
弱者(じゃくしゃ)への惻隠(そくいん)の念(ねん)を忘(わす)れてはならない。
We must not forget compassion for the weak.

惻隠(そくいん) is a classical term for compassion.

ORIGIN:
From Mencius (孟子(もうし)), who identified 惻隠(そくいん)の心(こころ) (the heart of compassion) as one of the four innate moral beginnings of humanity.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 惻隠(そくいん)の情(じょう): compassionate feeling
  • 惻隠(そくいん)の心(こころ): heart of compassion
  • 惻隠(そくいん)の念(ねん): feeling of pity

USAGE:

  • Literary and formal
  • Often appears in moral and philosophical discussions

RELATED WORDS:

  • 同情(どうじょう): sympathy (more common)
  • 憐憫(れんびん): pity, mercy
  • 思(おも)いやり: consideration, empathy
general
Added 2026.1.31 8:10
09000/09049_sokuin